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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn
+
+Release Date: August 23, 2011 [EBook #37175]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRANK WAS LIFTED BY MAIN FORCE AND PLACED IN IT.—_Page
+228._]
+
+
+
+
+                           THE BOY AVIATORS’
+                          FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+                                   BY
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+                     AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS,”
+                        “DREADNOUGHT BOYS,” ETC.
+
+                            _ILLUSTRATED BY_
+                           _CHARLES L. WRENN_
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1912,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+             CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+                  I. On Brig Island                          5
+                 II. The Wireless                           22
+                III. A Night Alarm                          36
+                 IV. Cut Adrift                             45
+                  V. Adventures on the Hulk                 56
+                 VI. Harry Meets an Old Friend              66
+                VII. A Puzzling Problem                     80
+               VIII. The Derelict Destroyer                 89
+                 IX. The Flight of the “Sea Eagle”          97
+                  X. “C. Q. D.!”                           112
+                 XI. “Good Luck!”                          121
+                XII. Through the Night                     129
+               XIII. A Twentieth-Century Rescue            137
+                XIV. Ben’s Plan Stolen                     148
+                 XV. What Happened Ashore                  158
+                XVI. Off on the “Air Route”                170
+               XVII. An Aerial Ambulance                   180
+              XVIII. An Errand of Mercy                    189
+                XIX. Plumbo Found Wanting                  199
+                 XX. Frank’s Battle                        209
+                XXI. A Rascally Trick                      219
+               XXII. Reunited!                             230
+              XXIII. Off Once More                         237
+               XXIV. A Struggle for Life                   246
+                XXV. A Race to Cloudland                   253
+               XXVI. The Boy Aviators’ Pluck               264
+              XXVII. Captured by Aeroplane                 275
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.—ON BRIG ISLAND.
+
+
+The sharp bow of Zenas Daniels’ green and red dory grazed the yellow
+beach on the west shore of Brig Island, a wooded patch of land lying
+about a mile off the Maine Shore in the vicinity of Casco Bay. His son
+Zeb, a lumbering, uncouth-looking lad of about eighteen, with a
+pronounced squint, leaped from the craft as it was beached, and seized
+hold of the frayed painter preparatory to dragging her farther up the
+beach.
+
+In the meantime Zenas himself, brown and hatchetlike of face, and lean
+of figure—with a tuft of gray whisker on his sharp chin, like an
+old-fashioned knocker on a mahogany door—gathered up a pile of lobster
+pots from the stern of the dory and shouldered them. A few lay loose,
+and those he flung out on the beach.
+
+These last Zeb gathered up, and as his father stepped out of the dory
+the pair began trudging up the steeply sloping beach, toward the woods
+which rimmed the islet almost to the water’s edge. All this, seemingly,
+in defiance of a staring sign which faced them, for on it was printed in
+letters visible quite a distance off:
+
+                           PRIVATE PROPERTY.
+                            NO TRESPASSING!
+
+Instead, however, of checking the fisherman, it caused old Zenas to
+break into a harsh laugh as his deep-set, wrinkle-surrounded eyes dwelt
+for an instant on the inscription. His jaw seemed to set with a snap,
+and his thin lips formed a narrow, hairlike line as a second later he
+saw something else. This was a stout wire fence, clearly of recent
+construction, which extended along the edge of the woods. Apparently it
+must have encircled the island, for it ran as far as eye could see in
+either direction.
+
+“Waal, I’ll be dummed-gosh dummed!” snorted Zenas, his thin nostrils
+dilating angrily.
+
+“Put up a fence now, have they?” he continued. “Waal, if thet ain’t ther
+beatingest! A passel of city kids ter come hyar and think they kin run
+things in Casco Bay!”
+
+“I reckon thet fence ain’t goin’ ter hinder us powerful much, dad.”
+
+“Waal, I swan _not_. Come on, Zeb, look lively with them pots; we’ve got
+ter git across ther island an’ back ez slippy ez we kin.”
+
+But as father and son resumed their journey, the thick brush suddenly
+parted and down a narrow path a boyish figure came suddenly into view.
+The newcomer was a tall, muscular youth, with a face tanned to a healthy
+brown by constant outdoor life. His clean-cut figure and frank, open
+countenance formed a striking contrast to Zenas’ crabbed features and
+the shifty look of his son.
+
+“Where do you intend going?” demanded the boy, as he halted a few paces
+on the opposite side of the fence.
+
+“You know waal enough, Frank Chester, or whatever yer name is,” growled
+out Zenas, “we’re goin’ across ther Island ter stow our lobster pots,
+just as we’ve bin a-doin’ fer years.”
+
+“I’m very sorry. I don’t want to seem unfair, but, as I explained to you
+the other day, this island is now private property. It was rented from
+Mr. Dunning of Portland on the express condition that we were not to be
+interfered with.”
+
+“Land o’ Goshen! So ye think yer kin come hyar an’ run things ter suit
+yerselves, do yer?”
+
+“We rented the island for that purpose. As I said before, we are all
+very sorry if it interferes with your convenience; but there’s Woody
+Island half a mile below, and closer in to Motthaven, too, why won’t
+that suit you as well?”
+
+“’Cos it won’t. Thet’s why. Brig Island’s bin here a sight longer than
+you er I, and it’s goin’ ter stay hyar arter we’re gone, too.”
+
+“I don’t quite see what that has to do with it.”
+
+“Waal, I do. We ain’t used ter bein’ dictated to by a passel of kids.
+I’ve bin usin’ this island fer ten years or more. It suits me first
+rate, and I propose ter go on using it, and ther ain’t no kids kin stop
+me,” spoke Zenas stubbornly.
+
+“Well, we shan’t keep you from it for more than a few weeks at most—at
+least I hope so,” rejoined Frank, with perfect good nature, “after that,
+although we have leased it for a year, we shall be glad to have you use
+it in any way you like.”
+
+“I want ter use it right now, I tell yer.”
+
+“Well, you can’t!”
+
+Frank’s control of himself was beginning to ooze away in the face of
+such mule-like obstinacy.
+
+“Kain’t, eh? We’ll see. You’re alone on the island ter-day, I seen ther
+other kids go ashore this mornin’. Come on, Zeb, climb over thet fence.”
+
+“Thet’s right, dad,” applauded Zeb, “ef he gives yer any sass jes’ hit
+him a clip in ther jaw. Reckon that ’ull stop him fer a while.”
+
+As his son spoke Zenas made as if to lay his hand on the top wire of the
+fence preparatory to scaling it. Frank Chester stepped hastily forward.
+
+“Don’t try to climb that fence!” he warned. His tone was so earnest
+that, involuntarily, Zenas checked himself.
+
+“Why not?” he demanded.
+
+“Because if you do you are going to get hurt. I give you fair warning.”
+
+“Shucks! ez if a kid could bother me. Come on, Zeb.”
+
+As he called to his son, Zenas clapped his hand on the top wire. Zeb,
+with a contemptuous grimace at Frank, did the same.
+
+“We’ll show yer——” Zeb was beginning, when a singular thing happened.
+
+[Illustration: “OUCH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF TIME HIT US!”]
+
+Zenas, with a yell, sprang into the air and, tripping as he came down,
+alighted in a sprawling heap among the freshly-tarred lobster pots. His
+gray goatee wagged savagely as he lay there impotently clenching his
+fists, alternating this performance by vigorously rubbing his elbows. In
+the meantime his son, giving vent to a no less piercing cry, had
+executed a backward bound from the fence with as much velocity as if he
+had been a rubber ball.
+
+“Ouch! What in ther name of time hit us!” he demanded.
+
+“Dear land o’ Goshen! What was thet?” shouted his parent.
+
+Frank had some difficulty in steadying his voice to reply. The sight of
+the two lately militant figures sprawling there on the beach was too
+much for his gravity.
+
+“_That_,” he managed to gasp out at length, “that was a _mild_ current
+of electricity running through those wires. You recollect I warned you
+not to touch them.”
+
+“You—you—you young villain!” roared Zenas, springing to his feet with
+great agility for one of his years, “I’ll have ther law on yer!”
+
+“Consarn you, yes!” echoed Zeb, “assault and battery!”
+
+“No, not batteries—a dynamo,” Frank could not resist saying. “If you
+think of going to law over it,” he added, more seriously, “please
+recollect that I warned you not to touch those wires. Furthermore, you
+were defiantly trespassing on private property, although you could see
+that sign from quite a distance out on the water.”
+
+The elder Daniels’ face was a study at this. But his son continued to
+bellow angrily.
+
+“You may hev injured dad and me fer life!” he shouted.
+
+“Oh, no; on the contrary, a mild shock of electricity is a fine thing
+for the system. But,” and Frank smiled, “don’t take an overdose.”
+
+“Oh, y’er laughin’ at us, are yer? Waal, maybe ther laugh ’ull be on the
+other side of yer face nex’ time we meet.”
+
+All this time the elder Daniels had remained silent, gathering up his
+scattered lobster pots. Evidently he did not meditate a second assault
+on the fence. Now he turned the overboiling vials of his wrath on his
+son.
+
+“Pick up them pots, consarn ye!” he rumbled throatily, “and git out ’er
+this.”
+
+Zeb obeyed, and then, with what dignity they could muster, the two
+shuffled back down the beach to their dory. Then they shoved off and
+began pulling for Woody Island. Frank Chester watched them in silence.
+But they did not look his way once during the swift row. When they
+landed on the distant islet, he saw Zeb turn and shake his fist in the
+direction of Brig Island with vicious emphasis. The elder fisherman,
+however, simply strode off along the beach of the adjacent island
+without turning.
+
+“Well, the fence certainly served its purpose,” said Frank to himself,
+as he turned away; “it proved as effectual as it did that night we used
+the same sort of contrivance to put to rout the rascals who wanted to
+wreck the old Golden Eagle. Sorry I had to give those fellows such a
+severe lesson, though. They liked us little enough before. They’ll have
+still less use for us now.”
+
+He was about to retrace his steps up the path when his attention was
+arrested by a sudden sound—the sharp “put-put-put!” of a motor boat.
+
+“I’ll bet that’s Harry, Billy and Pudge coming now!” he exclaimed. “I’ll
+go round to the hulk and meet them.”
+
+So saying, he started off along the beach. In a few seconds he rounded a
+wooded promontory and passed out of sight. Right here, perhaps, is a
+good place to give those readers who have not already formed their
+acquaintance, some further idea of who Frank Chester and his companions
+are, and how the quartet came to be on Brig Island, off the coast of
+Maine, in the island-dotted Casco Bay region.
+
+The first volume of this series related the adventures of Frank and
+Harry Chester, two bright, inventive New York lads of seventeen and
+sixteen, in the turbulent Central American Republic of Nicaragua. In
+this book was set down the part that their aëroplane, _The Golden
+Eagle_, played in the drama of revolution, and followed also the
+tempestuous career of their chum Billy Barnes, a young reporter whom
+they met in the tropics. Mr. Chester, a New York man of affairs, owned a
+plantation in Nicaragua, and the boys and their aëroplane were the means
+of saving this from the depredations of the revolutionaries. But in an
+electric storm in which she was driven out to sea the _Golden Eagle_ was
+lost. By means of the wireless apparatus with which she was equipped,
+the lads, however, managed to communicate with a steamer which picked
+them up and saved their lives.
+
+In The Boy Aviators on Secret Service, the second volume of the Boy
+Aviators’ series, we find them in the mysterious region of the
+Everglades. Once again they demonstrated—this time for Uncle Sam—the
+almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest inventions of modern
+times—the aëroplane and wireless telegraphy. In this book we related how
+the secret explosive factory was located and put out of commission, and
+what dangers and difficulties surrounded the boys during the process.
+
+Not long after this a strange combination of circumstances resulted in
+the boys taking a voyage to Africa. In The Boy Aviators In Africa you
+may read how they discovered the ivory hoard in the Moon Mountains, and
+how the Arab slave trader, who had cause to fear them, made all sorts of
+trouble for them. The first aëroplane to soar above the trackless
+forests of the Dark Continent conveyed them safely out of their
+dilemmas, and indirectly was the cause of their being able to voyage
+back to America on a fine yacht.
+
+The boys had figured on resting up after this, but the love of adventure
+that stirred in their blood, as well as their warm friendship for Billy
+Barnes, prompted them to take part in a cross-continent flight against
+great odds. The story of the contest, The Boy Aviators in Record Flight,
+related stirring incidents from coast to coast. Readers of that volume
+will readily summon to mind the ruse by which the lads escaped the
+cowboys and baffled some renegade Indians and, finally, their fearful
+battle in midair with the sand storm.
+
+The story of an old Spanish galleon enthralled in the deadly grip of the
+Sargasso Sea furnished the inspiration for the tale of the Boy Aviators’
+Treasure Quest. But they were not alone on their hunt for the long-lost
+treasure trove. Luther Barr, a bad old man who had caused them much
+trouble before, fitted out a rival expedition. High above the vast ocean
+of Sargasso weed the boys had to fight for their lives with a crew of
+desperate men in a powerful dirigible craft. How they won out, and
+through what other adventures they passed—including the surprising one
+of the “rat ship,”—you must read the volume to discover, as we have not
+space to detail all that befell them on that voyage.
+
+Then came what was, in many respects, their queerest voyage of all—the
+flight above the Antarctic fields of eternal ice, in search of the goal
+of discoverers of half a dozen nationalities, the South Pole. The Boy
+Aviators’ Polar Dash was a volume full of swift action and enterprise.
+Many hardships were endured and dangers faced, but the boys did not
+flinch when duty required their best of them. They emerged from the
+frozen regions having achieved a signal triumph, but one which would not
+have been possible of accomplishment without their aëroplane.
+
+Having thus briefly sketched the previous careers of the Boy Aviators,
+we shall give a short account of how they came to be on Brig Island, and
+then press on with our story. About a month before the present story
+opens then, a scientific friend of Mr. Chester’s, Dr. Maxim Perkins, had
+called on the Boy Aviators’ father and requested the aid of the young
+aërial inventors in some problems that were bothering him. Dr. Perkins
+was already an aviator of some note, but his achievements had not found
+their way into the newspapers as, like most scientific men, he did not
+care for publicity in connection with his experiments.
+
+In common with the rest of the civilized world Dr. Perkins—horrified at
+a mid-ocean tragedy in which hundreds of lives were sacrificed—had set
+his wits to work to devise some means of life saving—in addition to the
+regular boat equipment—which might be easily carried by ocean liners. He
+was convinced that it would be feasible for vessels of that description
+to carry an auxiliary fleet of what he termed
+“dirigible-hydro-aëroplanes.” By this rather clumsy name he meant a
+combination of the hydroplane, dirigible and aëroplane. But although his
+ideas on the subject were clear enough in theory, he was rather hazy
+about the practical side of the matter, and this was the object of his
+call on Mr. Chester—to ask the aid of the Boy Aviators in carrying out
+his experiments.
+
+To make a long story short, arrangements were finally completed by which
+the doctor had leased Brig Island, and had set up on it such sheds and
+appliances as would be needed by the boys in their work. These included
+a wireless, by means of which communication with the mainland might be
+kept up—via Portland—and also a unique piece of apparatus (if such it
+could be called) of which we shall learn in the next chapter.
+
+The boys had now spent two busy weeks on the island, and the work that
+they had mapped out for themselves was so nearly completed that they had
+felt justified that morning in wirelessing Dr. Perkins to come and see
+how things were going on. As we have seen, their stay on the island had
+not been altogether tranquil. The spot had been used for years by the
+fishermen as a sort of stowage place for their apparatus, and also,
+sometimes, as a summer residence. With the coming of the boys and their
+necessarily private work, all this had been changed, and the resentment
+of the fishermen had been bitter. Of all the complainers, Zenas and his
+son were the most aggressive, however, and had openly threatened to
+drive the boys off the island.
+
+To avoid being taken by surprise the lads had rigged up the electric
+fence, which device, as readers of The Boy Aviators on Secret Service
+will recall, had been used by them before with success to repel
+unwelcome visitors.
+
+Let us now rejoin Frank Chester as he goes to meet the approaching motor
+boat on which his brother Harry, Billy Barnes and Pudge Perkins, the
+doctor’s son, had visited the mainland for provisions and mail that
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.—THE WIRELESS.
+
+
+As Frank rounded the point, the waves almost lapping his feet as he
+edged along the rocky promontory, he came into full view of the adjunct
+to the little settlement which was mentioned in the preceding chapter.
+This was nothing more nor less than the hulk of what had once been a
+fair-sized schooner. But her masts had vanished, and on her decks
+nothing now rose above the bulwarks but a towering structure of
+sufficiently odd form to have set the wits of every man in Motthaven who
+had seen it at their keenest edge.
+
+This structure began about amidships, where it attained a height of some
+thirty feet. From thence its skeleton form sloped sharply down toward
+the stern of the dismantled hulk, much in the manner of the “Chute the
+Chutes” familiar to most lads throughout the land from their having seen
+them at amusement resorts. The old schooner—formerly rejoicing in the
+name of _Betsy Jane_—had been picked up for a song in Portland by the
+Boy Aviators, who saw in it exactly what they needed for a bit of
+experimental apparatus. At their orders the inclined “slide” had been
+built, and when this was accomplished the craft had been towed into the
+cove, where it now lay anchored by a stout line, about 200 yards off
+shore.
+
+As Frank came into view of the black old hull, swinging on her mooring
+line on the turning tide, a “Hampton” motor boat came chugging round the
+_Betsy Jane’s_ stern. In it were three lads. The one in the bow handling
+the wheel is already familiar to our readers, who will at once recognize
+the cherubic, smiling features of the spectacled Billy Barnes. In the
+stern, tending to the engine—a five horse power one of the
+make-and-break type—was Harry Chester, Frank’s younger brother, and
+standing amidships, waving cheerfully to Frank, was a youth best
+described as being “tubby” of build, with round rosy cheeks and a most
+good-natured expression of countenance.
+
+This last lad was Ulysses—otherwise “Pudge” Perkins, the son of the
+aërial scientist who had sent the lads on their strange mission.
+
+“Batter and butterflies!” he shouted, as the boat drew closer and he
+spied Frank, “how are you, Frank? Get lonely without your chums?”
+
+“No; I rather enjoyed myself,” laughed back Frank, shouting his words
+across the water; “you see, while you were away I had some quiet, and a
+chance to work out a few problems.”
+
+“Mumps and mathematics!” sputtered Pudge amiably, “you don’t mean to say
+I worry you, Frank?”
+
+By this time the motor boat had approached close to her mooring, at
+which swung a small boat of the dory type. The motor boat was speedily
+made fast, and the boyish occupants tumbled into the small boat and
+Harry rapidly sculled them ashore. Before leaving the motor boat some
+sacks of supplies had been thrown in, and the small craft was so heavily
+laden that Pudge had to be sternly warned to keep still on peril of
+swamping it.
+
+“Dories and dingbats! as if my sylphlike form could bother this staunch
+craft! Yo-ho! my lads, yo-ho! pull for the shore and don’t bother about
+me.”
+
+The beach was reached without catastrophe, and while Frank helped the
+others unload the supplies he told them of what had occurred during
+their absence.
+
+“After you left,” he said, “I got busy figuring on that plane problem.
+All at once I heard voices, and by listening I soon recognized them as
+Zenas Daniels and that precious son of his. As I knew what ugly
+customers they were I turned the current into the fence and sauntered
+down toward the shore. Sure enough it was Zenas and Zeb and they tried
+to rush the fence.”
+
+Frank then went on to tell of what had happened. Shouts of laughter
+greeted his narrative.
+
+“Sugar and somersaults! But I’d have liked to see those chaps do a
+flip-flap,” chuckled the rotund Pudge, hugging himself in his joy.
+
+“I guess Zenas must have learned that electricity is good for the
+rheumatiz,” laughed Billy Barnes gleefully; “I’d like to have had a
+picture of them when they hit the wire,” he added, swinging his
+inevitable camera at the end of its carrying straps.
+
+“It would have been worth while,” laughed Harry; “but come on, boys,
+let’s get this stuff up to the hut. Anything to eat, Frank? I’m hungry
+enough to swallow one of old Zenas’ lobster pots.”
+
+“Sandwiches and sauerkraut! So am I,” chimed in Pudge.
+
+“Great Scott!” cried Billy Barnes, “as if we didn’t know that. If you
+told us you _weren’t_ hungry it would be something new.”
+
+“Well, I don’t see where I’ve got anything on you when it comes to meal
+times,” retorted the fat youth.
+
+“Only about six inches more around the waist line,” grinned Billy,
+dodging a blow from the fleshy youth’s fat but muscular arm.
+
+Shouldering the supplies, which consisted of such staples as bacon,
+flour, sugar, rice and so forth, the lads made their way up the beach,
+having first carried the dory’s anchor far up above highwater mark. They
+took their way along the electrically-charged fence till they came to a
+spot where there was a gate and a switch to break the connection. Frank
+turned off the switch, grounded the current, and opened the gate,
+through which they passed, and entered on a narrow path winding up among
+the rocks. When they had all gone through, Frank closed the gate,
+snapped on the switch again and the fence became as mischievous as
+before.
+
+In single file, headed by Harry, for Frank had now taken a rear place,
+they toiled up the steep path until, at the summit of the rocky little
+cliff, it plunged into the woods. Traversing these for a short distance,
+and always climbing upward, for the island converged to a point in the
+middle, they at length emerged on a clearing, evidently of nature’s
+workmanship, for there was no trace of recently felled trees or other
+human work.
+
+The floor of this clearing was of rock, and off at one side a clear
+spring bubbled cheerfully over into a barrel set so as to catch the
+overflow. In the center of the open space stood a small but
+substantially-built portable house—one of the sectional kind. This
+formed the living quarters of the young island dwellers. Above it rose,
+like gaunt, leafless trees, two iron poles set thirty feet apart and
+stayed by stout guy wires. Between those two poles were suspended, by
+block and tackle, the aërials, or antennæ, by which messages were caught
+and sent. Within the hut was the rest of the wireless apparatus, which,
+with the exception of some improvements of Frank’s devising, was of the
+portable kind—the same in fact that they had used in Florida. Outside
+the hut was a small shelter covering a four horse-power gasolene engine,
+which generated the power for the station.
+
+As most boys are familiar nowadays with the rudiments of wireless
+telegraphy we are not going into technical details concerning the plant.
+Suffice it to say that the boys were able to converse with Portland,
+under favorable conditions, and judged that, in suitable weather, they
+had a radius of some two hundred and fifty miles.
+
+But it was off to one side of the clearing, the side nearest to the
+cove, that the most interesting structure on the island was situated.
+This was more of a covering than a shed, for it consisted merely of a
+roof supported with uprights; but in bad weather canvas curtains could
+be drawn so as to make its interior stormproof.
+
+This shed was now open, and under the roof could be seen what was
+perhaps at the moment the most unique machine of its kind in the world.
+Looking into that shed you would have said at first that it housed a
+boat. For the first object that struck your eye was a double-ended,
+flat-bottomed craft of shimmering aluminum metal, about thirty feet in
+length and built on the general lines of one of our life-saving craft.
+That is to say, with “whalebacks” at each end containing air chambers,
+and plenty of beam and room within the cockpit. A peculiar feature,
+however, was the addition of four wheels.
+
+But the boat theory would have had to be abandoned the next moment, for
+above the hull of the whaleboat-shaped craft was what appeared to be the
+understructure of an aëroplane. But the planes—the broad
+wings—themselves were lacking. The twin propellers connected to a motor
+within the boat were, however, in place. Apparently they were driven by
+chains, similar to, but stouter than, the ordinary bicycle variety.
+
+All about was a litter of tools and implements of all kinds. Several
+large frames leaning against one side of the shed appeared to be the
+skeleton forms of the wings which were soon to be added to the
+superstructure.
+
+“Tamales and terrapins!” cried Pudge admiringly, as he gazed at the
+uncompleted craft, “but she begins to look like something, eh, Frank?”
+
+“Yes,” nodded the young aviator, “but until your father arrives we
+cannot adjust the wings. There is a lot of theoretical work connected
+with them that he will have to do. By the way, I wonder if Portland’s
+got any answer to our message yet?”
+
+Followed by the others, Frank entered the living hut, which proved to be
+a snug, neat compartment about fifteen feet in length, by ten in width.
+It had four windows, two on a side, and a door at one end. At the other
+end was the wireless apparatus, with its glittering bright metal parts,
+and businesslike-looking condensers and tuning coils. Along the walls
+were four bunks, two on a side, one above the other. In the center were
+a table and camp chairs, and from the ceiling hung a large oil lamp.
+
+A shelf held a good collection of books on aëro and wireless subjects,
+and at one side of the door was a blue-flame kerosene stove. On the
+other side of the door was a cupboard containing crockery, knives, forks
+and cooking utensils. Altogether, if the boys had not been there for a
+more serious purpose, the place might have been said to form an almost
+ideal camp for four healthy, active lads.
+
+“Start up the motor, Harry,” said Frank, as soon as they had deposited
+their burdens, “and we’ll try and get some track of Dr. Perkins. His
+answer to our message ought to be in Portland by now.”
+
+The younger Chester lad hastened outside, and soon the popping of the
+motor announced that it was running. Frank sat down at the key and,
+depressing it, sent a blue-white flame crackling across the spark gap.
+Out into space, from the aërials stretched above, the message went
+volleying. It was the call of the Portland station that Frank was
+sending. He flashed it out three times, as is customary, and then signed
+it F-C., the latter being Brigg Island’s agreed-upon signature. Then,
+while the others gathered round, Frank adjusted the “phones,” the
+delicate receivers that clamp over the ear and through which, by way of
+the detector, any message vibrating in the air may be caught as it
+encounters the antenna.
+
+Frank listened some time but—save for the conversation of two wireless
+operators far out at sea—he could hear nothing. With a gesture of
+impatience Frank began adjusting his tuning coil. All at once he broke
+into a smile of satisfaction. At last Portland was answering:
+
+“F—C! F—C! F—C!”
+
+“All right,” rejoined Frank, sending a volley of sparks crashing and
+flashing across the gap as soon as he could break in, “is there any
+answer to my message?”
+
+“Yes. Perkins will be at Motthaven to-morrow night. He wants you to meet
+him,” came back the answer, winging its way over the intervening miles
+of space.
+
+“Is that all?”
+
+“That’s all.”
+
+Frank removed the “phones,” grounded his key and told Harry he could
+stop the motor.
+
+“I’ll be glad when the doctor does get here,” he confided to the others,
+after he had communicated the message, “for I’m beginning to think that
+we are in for some sort of trouble. Those two Daniels are pretty
+influential in the village, and it only needs a word from them to turn
+the whole crowd against us.”
+
+“We could stand ’em off,” bragged Pudge grandiloquently, “lassoes and
+lobsters, we could stand ’em off. I half wish they would come—buttons
+and buttercakes, but I do!” and Pudge doubled up his fists and looked
+fierce.
+
+“You forget, Pudge,” said Frank, “that we are here in positions of
+responsibility. All this property is your father’s. It is our duty to
+see that no harm comes to it. A bunch of those fishermen inflamed by
+anger might be able to do more harm here in an hour than could be
+repaired in months, not to mention the cost.”
+
+“Surely you don’t think they’d come down to actual violence, Frank?”
+inquired Harry.
+
+“I don’t know. The two Daniels looked mighty savage to-day, I can tell
+you. If it hadn’t been for the electric fence they might have made
+trouble. At all events I’ll be glad to have some advice.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.—A NIGHT ALARM.
+
+
+After supper that night, a meal consisting of fried salt pork, boiled
+potatoes and some fresh fish which Frank had caught earlier in the day,
+the elder of the Chester lads called what he termed “a conference,”
+although Billy Barnes declared it was more in the nature of a “council
+of war.”
+
+We are not going to detail here all that was said as it would make
+wearisome reading; but, after an hour or more of talk, Frank spoke his
+mind.
+
+“It may be all foolishness, of course,” he said, “but I think that we
+ought not to leave the island unguarded to-night. Daniels and his son
+have had a taste of that wire fence and they may have figured out some
+way to get around it—it would be a simple enough matter to do, after
+all.”
+
+“Well, what’s your proposal?” inquired Billy Barnes.
+
+“To patrol the island all night, taking turns on watch. It’s not more
+than a mile or so all round it, and it ought to be an easy matter to
+keep the ground thoroughly covered.”
+
+“Rifles and rattlesnakes!” burst out Pudge, “I thought this was to be a
+sort of working vacation and not a civil war.”
+
+Frank smiled, and then assumed a graver expression as he went on:
+
+“There is so much valuable property here which it would be easy for
+malicious people to injure that I wouldn’t feel justified in leaving the
+island unguarded all night. What do the rest of you think?”
+
+“Just as you do, Frank,” rejoined Harry heartily, while Billy and Pudge
+nodded vigorously; “we’ve got to keep a sharp lookout. I nominate myself
+and Pudge for the first watch—say from eight to twelve. You and Billy
+can go on duty from midnight till daylight.”
+
+After some discussion this order of procedure was adopted. Promptly at
+eight o’clock Harry and Pudge Perkins went “on duty,” while Frank and
+Billy turned in to get what sleep they could. As a matter of precaution,
+when they came to the island, the boys had brought along a revolver, and
+Harry was armed with this when he went on duty. He was not, of course,
+to use it as a weapon of offence, but it was agreed that, in case there
+was any alarm during his watch, he was to fire it three times, when the
+others would come to his assistance.
+
+Harry and Pudge accompanied each other as far as the gate, and then
+threaded their way down the path among the rocks toward the beach. A
+mild current had been turned on in the fence, enough to give an
+uncomfortable shock to any one tampering with it, but not enough to
+exhaust the storage batteries which supplied it.
+
+When they reached the beach, Harry paused.
+
+“We’d better start this patrol in opposite directions,” he said, “and
+then we can meet each other once on every circuit.”
+
+“All right,” agreed Pudge, “but—pirates and parachutes—keep a good eye
+open.”
+
+“Don’t worry about me,” rejoined Harry; “so long!”
+
+As he spoke each boy stepped off into the darkness to begin the patrol.
+As Harry trudged along the beach his mind was full of the events of
+which Frank had spoken that afternoon. Up in the lighted hut, with his
+companions around him, it had seemed a very remote possibility to the
+boy that any attack should be made on the island. But pacing along under
+the stars, with only the sound of his own footsteps for company, placed
+a very different light on the matter. What if the disgruntled fishermen
+should make a night descent on the island?
+
+“This won’t do,” exclaimed Harry to himself, coming to a sudden halt in
+the cove opposite to which the motor boat was moored, and where a
+blacker patch on the dark sand showed him the beached dinghy, “it’s no
+use getting shivery and scared just because a couple of cranky fishermen
+are so sore at us. I’ve got to brace up, that’s all there is to it.”
+
+His surroundings, however, were not calculated to soothe the nervous
+suspense of the lad. Except for the stars glittering like steel points
+in the night sky there was no light. The night was so pitchy dark, on
+the beach under the shadow of the trees, that he could hardly see with
+certainty a yard ahead of him. The surf roared hoarsely against the
+rocks at the point—for the tide was full, and the night wind moaned in
+the trees like a note of warning.
+
+With an idea of carrying out his patrol properly, Harry went toward the
+darker patch amid the gloom which showed him where the beached dinghy
+lay. He examined it as well as he could, and made sure that it was well
+above tide water. Having completed this, he paced on, and in due time
+heard footsteps approaching him which he knew must be those of Pudge
+Perkins. A minute later the two young sentinels met and exchanged
+greetings. Pudge had nothing to report, except that it was what he
+called a “creepy” job. However, he pluckily averred: “Ghosts and
+gibberish, Harry, I’m going to stick it out.”
+
+“That’s right,” approved Harry, and after a few words both boys once
+more started out on their lonesome tours of duty.
+
+In due course Harry again reached the cove opposite the schooner hulk,
+and this time, being rather tired, he decided to sit down on the beached
+dinghy and take a rest. But, to his astonishment, it didn’t seem to be
+in the place where it should have been.
+
+“I could have sworn it was right here,” said Harry to himself, as he
+trudged about on his quest, “it must be close at hand. Guess I’ll fall
+over it and hurt my shins in a minute.”
+
+But although he reassured himself, the boy felt far from secure in his
+belief. After a further painstaking search he was fain to confess—what
+he really believed from the first—that the dinghy which had lain there a
+short time before had mysteriously vanished!
+
+“Can it be those miserable Daniels?” gasped Harry to himself. “Yes, it
+must be,” he went on, answering his own questions, “who else would have
+done it, unless it drifted off.”
+
+He was moving about as he spoke, and as he uttered the last words he
+stumbled across something that showed him very plainly that the dinghy
+could not have drifted away from the beach. What he had fallen over was
+the anchor firmly embedded in the sand, with a length of rope still
+attached to it.
+
+Harry felt along the bit of rope in the darkness till he reached the end
+of it. Then he struck a match. In the flicker of light which followed he
+saw plainly enough what had occurred—the rope had been slashed through.
+The boy had just made this discovery when from the water he heard
+something that caused him to listen acutely, bending every sense to the
+operation.
+
+What he had heard was the splash of an oar, and a quick exclamation of
+impatience, as if the rower, whoever he was, had blamed his involuntary
+misstroke.
+
+“Some one’s out there, and they’re aboard the schooner, too; or I’m very
+much mistaken,” exclaimed Harry to himself, as, listening acutely, he
+caught the sound of footsteps proceeding, seemingly, by their hollow
+ring, from the decks of the dismantled hulk; “what will I do? If I fire
+the pistol I’ll scare them off, and if I don’t——”
+
+He stopped short. A sudden daring idea had flashed into his mind. The
+boy hastily slipped off his shoes and divested himself of all but his
+undergarments. Then, leaving his pistol on the beach, he slipped
+noiselessly into the bay and struck out in the direction of the
+schooner. The water was bitterly cold, as it always is off the Maine
+coast, even in the height of summer, but Harry kept dauntlessly on,
+determined to brave anything in the execution of his purpose.
+
+The hulk lay only about a hundred yards off the shore, and before long
+he could see her dark outlines looming up against the lighter darkness
+of the sky on the horizon. He fancied, but could not be certain that it
+was not an illusion, that for an instant he could see two forms creeping
+along the decks. The next moment something showed up ahead of him with
+which he almost collided.
+
+Harry, with a gasp of gratitude, for the water had chilled him to the
+bone, recognized it as the motor boat. As silently as he could he drew
+himself up into it, and then, casting himself flat in the cockpit, he
+listened with all his might for further sounds from the schooner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.—CUT ADRIFT.
+
+
+He did not have long to wait. Seemingly, whoever the marauders were—and
+as to their identity the lad could hazard a pretty good guess—they did
+not bother much about lowering their voices.
+
+“By the jumping crickey!” he heard coming over the water from the
+schooner, “jiggered if I kin make out what they cal’kelated ter use this
+hulk fer.”
+
+“Hush! Not so loud, pop. Ther sound carries tur’rble fur over ther
+water.”
+
+“As if I didn’t know thet, Zeb, but what do we care? Them kids is fast
+asleep, and anyhow, we cut the dinghy adrift so they couldn’t do us any
+harm ef they wanted to.”
+
+“Thet’s right, too; but some of ’em might be prowling about. They’re up
+ter all sorts uv tricks. I ain’t forgot thet thar fence, I kin tell yer.
+My arm’s a-tingling yet whar thet electricity hit me.”
+
+Soaked through as he was, and chilly into the bargain, Harry couldn’t
+help smiling as he heard this eloquent testimonial to the efficacy of
+the “charged” fence. He had caught the name of “Zeb,” too, which
+speedily removed all doubt from his mind as to the identity of the
+marauders.
+
+“The precious rascals,” he thought, while his teeth chattered with cold,
+“I’m mighty glad I did swim out here, even if I am almost frozen to
+death. If they aren’t under arrest to-morrow it won’t be my fault.”
+
+Little more was heard from the schooner, but from what he could catch he
+surmised that the two fishers were completely mystified by the craft.
+Presently he heard their footsteps descending the gangway and then came
+the splash of oars. They were dipped silently no longer, a pretty sure
+sign that the two rascals didn’t much care if they were heard or not.
+After a moment the splashing sound grew more remote, and Harry knew that
+the two prowlers had taken their departure.
+
+There was a scull in the motor boat and as soon as he was sure that the
+Daniels were out of earshot, Harry up anchored and began sculling the
+motor boat toward the hulk. The distance was so short that he did not
+want to bother to start the engine, and in a few seconds he was
+alongside the dark hulk. He shoved along the side till the motor boat
+grated against the gangway, and then, not forgetting to make the motor
+craft fast, he leaped up the steps, with the purpose of discovering what
+harm, if any, had been wrought aboard the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Harry knew where a lantern was kept, and descending into what had once
+been the cabin he began rummaging about for it. In the pitchy blackness
+the task took him longer than he had anticipated, but at last he found
+the lantern and the matches which lay beside it. Hastily striking a
+light he soon had the bare cabin filled with the yellow rays of the
+lamp. As has been explained, the _Betsy Jane_ had been purchased as a
+sort of “trying-out” appliance for the inventions of Dr. Perkins, and
+therefore the cabin contained nothing in the way of furniture. The lamp,
+in fact, had only been placed on board as a precaution in case a riding
+light was ever needed on the anchored hulk. But as she had remained at
+her moorings in the isolated cove this was not, of course, necessary.
+
+A brief look about the cabin showed Harry that nothing had been molested
+there. In fact, as has been said, there was nothing to molest. A door in
+the forward bulkhead led into the empty hold, and the boy next made his
+way there, the lamp casting weird shadows on the timbers as he went. His
+steps rang hollowly through the deserted ship, and he could hardly
+repress a shudder as he threaded his way among the stanchions, which,
+like the pillars in a church, upheld the deck above his head.
+
+Reaching what had been the forecastle of the _Betsy Jane_, Harry came to
+the conclusion that nothing had been damaged below. His next task was to
+go up on deck. His examination below decks had been painstaking, and had
+occupied him some time, but he was determined to make it a thorough one.
+The fact is that an ugly suspicion had crept into Harry’s mind as he lay
+in the bottom of the motor boat listening to the two Daniels on board
+the schooner. This was nothing more nor less than a dread that they
+might have “scuttled” the craft. From what he knew of them the two were
+capable of anything, and he thought that in their rage at finding
+nothing on board that they could damage they might have bored holes in
+the schooner in order to sink her. His investigation of the hold,
+however, had shown him—to his great relief—that nothing of the sort had
+occurred.
+
+Coming on deck Harry made as careful a search for damage as he had done
+in the hold. But the inclined superstructure remained intact, and
+nothing indicated that the Daniels had done anything more than stroll
+about, trying to discover what the object of the schooner was.
+
+So intent had Harry been on his task that he had, for the time being,
+completely forgotten that Pudge must be anxiously looking for him. Going
+into the eyes of the craft he sent a hearty hail ashore:
+
+“Pudge ahoy! Oh-h-h-h, Pu-d-g-e!”
+
+Then he stopped to listen intently. But no reply came to his hail. He
+tried it again and again, without success. Then he determined as a last
+resort to fire the agreed-upon three shots. He did not want to alarm his
+companions unnecessarily, but surely, he thought, it would be a good
+idea to arouse them and communicate what had occurred since he left the
+hut.
+
+Up to that moment the boy had completely forgotten that he had left the
+pistol on the beach. He felt compelled to laugh at himself for his
+absentmindedness, but while the laugh was still on his lips something
+happened that caused it to freeze there.
+
+A mass of cold spray was suddenly projected over the bow. At the same
+instant the old hulk quivered at the smart “slap” of a wave.
+
+“Gracious!” thought Harry to himself, “the sea must be getting up. I
+reckon I’d best be going back ashore.”
+
+As he made his way aft toward the gangway he found that the sea must
+indeed have risen since he came on board. The old hulk was rolling about
+like a bottle, and he had to hold on to the rail as he made his way
+along the decks. Getting into the motor boat under these conditions was
+no easy task. But it was accomplished at last.
+
+“I guess I’ll start the engine before I cut adrift,” said Harry to
+himself.
+
+Later on he was to be very thankful he did. Turning on the switch and
+gasolene he began to “spin” the fly wheel; but beyond a wheezy cough the
+motor gave no sign of responding. For more than half an hour the boy
+worked with might and main over the refractory bit of machinery, but to
+no effect. The engine was absolutely “dead.”
+
+“What can be the matter with it?” thought Harry to himself. “It’s never
+acted this way before.”
+
+He stood up, too engrossed in his problem to realize what a sea was
+running. Before he could recover his balance the pitching craft almost
+bucked him overboard.
+
+“Gracious! the waves are getting up with a vengeance,” exclaimed the boy
+to himself; “I can never scull ashore in this sea. Queer, too, there,
+doesn’t seem to be any more wind than when I left shore. Certainly I’ve
+never seen the sea as rough as this in the inlet before.”
+
+With the object of finding out what ailed the obstinate motor, he
+returned to the deck of the schooner where he had left the lamp. Getting
+into the motor boat with it once more, by dint of much balancing and
+holding on he cast its rays on the single cylinder. Almost
+simultaneously he saw what had happened. Somebody, he had no difficulty
+in guessing who, had removed the sparking points. No wonder that no
+explosion had followed his efforts to get the craft under way.
+
+“Well, here’s a fine fix,” thought Harry; “even if I could attract their
+attention ashore I’ve got no means of getting there. Oh, if I won’t get
+even with those Daniels as soon as I get a chance! Wonder what I’d
+better do?”
+
+His first move was to clamber back on board the schooner, for the wild
+rolling of the motor boat, as she plunged about at the foot of the
+gangway, was not helpful to thought. Gaining the deck once more Harry
+sought out the cabin and seated himself on the edge of one of the empty
+bunks which ranged its sides.
+
+Suddenly it occurred to him that he was uncommonly sleepy, and at the
+same time he thought that possibly it would be a good idea to pass the
+rest of the night in slumber. He had no watch, but he imagined that it
+could not be so very far to daylight. With this object in view he cast
+himself down in the bunk and, despite the hardness of the bed and the
+chilliness of his scantily clad limbs, he rapidly slipped away from his
+surroundings into a dreamless sleep.
+
+When he awoke the sun was shining through the stern ports. That is, it
+was for one instant, and then in the next it was obscured again. Harry
+was enough of a sailor to know that this meant a cloudy day, with
+possibly a piping wind scurrying the clouds across the sky.
+
+“Thank goodness it’s daylight anyhow!” he exclaimed, jumping from his
+uncomfortable couch, with an ache in every limb in his body; “now to go
+on deck and attract their attention ashore.”
+
+Utterly unprepared for the shock that was to greet him, Harry bounded up
+the companionway stairs and on to the deck.
+
+Had a bomb exploded at his feet he could not have been more
+thunderstruck than he was at the sight which greeted him.
+
+There was no island, no distant mainland. Nothing but miles upon miles
+of tumbling blue water in which the _Betsy Jane_ was wallowing about,
+casting showers of spray over her bow every time she nosed into a
+billow.
+
+Harry’s heart stood still for an instant. His senses swam dizzily. Then,
+with a sudden return of his faculties, he realized what had occurred.
+
+The mooring rope of the _Betsy Jane_ had been cut or had broken, and he
+was miles out on the Atlantic without a prospect of succor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.—ADVENTURES ON THE HULK.
+
+
+A sudden sharp puff of wind, followed by a heavier dip than usual on the
+part of the dismantled hulk, apprised the boy that both breeze and sea
+were increasing. Putting aside, for the moment, by a brave effort, his
+heart sickness, Harry ran to the rail and peered over the side. The
+motor boat was careering gallantly along by the side of her big consort,
+and the boy was glad to note that the painter still held, despite the
+strain.
+
+But Harry knew, from his examination the previous night, that it would
+be useless to try to escape by the motor craft. She was disabled beyond
+hope of repair, unless he could get another spark plug. Having made sure
+the motor craft was all right, Harry returned to the bow and sat down to
+think the situation over.
+
+It would have been a trying one for a man to face, let alone a lad; but
+Harry’s numerous adventures had given him a power of calm thought beyond
+his years, and he managed to marshal his ideas into some sort of shape
+as he crouched under the bow bulwarks.
+
+“Evidently the _Betsy Jane_ was caught by the tide, when it turned, and
+carried out to sea,” he thought, “and then, when the wind got up, she
+drifted still faster. I wonder if her mooring rope broke or if it was
+cut—guess I’ll take a look.”
+
+The boy dragged inboard the end of the mooring line that still hung over
+the bow. One look at it was enough. The clean cut strands showed
+conclusively that it had been severed, just above the water line, by a
+sharp knife. The fact that the Daniels could not know that any one would
+come on board after they slashed the line did not make their act any
+less heinous in Harry’s eyes. It had been their deliberate intention to
+set the schooner adrift, and they had succeeded only too well in their
+act of spite.
+
+“Whatever will they be thinking on the island when they discover all
+this?” thought Harry with a low groan. “They’ll imagine that I’m dead,
+or at least that some fatal accident has befallen me, and, worst of all,
+they have no boat to use to reach the mainland. They are just as much
+prisoners as I am.”
+
+Sharp pangs of hunger now began to assail the lad, and he recollected,
+with a thankful heart, that on board the motor boat there were the
+remains of a lunch they had taken ashore with them on their expedition
+the previous day. There was also a keg of water. Harry lost no time in
+descending the gangway and making his way to the locker where the food
+had been stored. First, however, he made a foray on the water keg.
+Taking out the stopper he found that it was only half full, but he
+slaked his thirst gratefully, taking care to use as small a quantity of
+the fluid as possible. He knew that before long the water might be
+precious indeed.
+
+In the locker he found the remnants of the lunch. As he consumed the
+scraps of bread and cheese, and a small hunk of corned beef, he recalled
+with what light hearts they had fallen to the meal of which he was now
+devouring the remains. The recollection almost overcame him. With a
+strong effort the boy choked back a sob and formed a grim determination
+not to dwell upon his miserable situation more than was possible. He
+felt that the main thing was to keep a clear head.
+
+There was some spare rope on board the hulk, and with this Harry made
+the fastenings of the launch more secure, leading one end of the rope on
+board the schooner itself, and making it fast to a cleat. He felt that
+the craft would be more safe if attached thus than would have been the
+case had he depended on the gangway alone.
+
+This done, he took a look about him. He had had a vague hope that he
+might sight a ship of some sort, but the ocean was empty as a desert.
+Not a sail or a smudge of smoke marred the horizon. All this time the
+wind had been steadily freshening, and Harry judged that the schooner
+must be drifting before it quite fast. The inclined superstructure
+naturally added to her “windage” and made her go before the gale more
+rapidly. The sea, too, was piling up in great, glistening, green water
+rows, which looked formidable indeed. But so far the _Betsy Jane_ had
+wallowed along right gallantly, only shipping a shower of spray
+occasionally when a big sea struck her obliquely on the bow.
+
+“If only I had plenty of food and water,” thought Harry, “this would be
+nothing more than a good bit of adventure, but——”
+
+In accordance with his resolution not to dwell on the more serious
+aspects of his predicament he dismissed this side of the case from his
+mind. But as the day wore on, and he grew intolerably thirsty, the
+thought of what might be his fate, if he did not fall in with some
+vessel, beset his mind more and more, to the exclusion of all else. In
+the afternoon, as closely as he could judge the time, he took another
+drink from the fast-diminishing supply in the keg. He noticed, with an
+unpleasant shock, that the fluid was growing alarmingly lower. Before he
+took the draught he had cleaned up the remaining crumbs left in the
+locker, and was now absolutely without food.
+
+The rest of that afternoon he passed watching the empty sea for some
+sign of a ship, but not a trace of one could he discover. Utterly
+disheartened he watched the sun set in a blaze of crimson and gold. The
+sunset lay behind him, and Harry knew by this that he was drifting east
+at a rapid rate. Just how rapid he had, of course, no means of
+calculating. Of one thing he was thankful—the sea had not increased, and
+the wind appeared to have fallen considerably with the departure of
+daylight.
+
+“Surely,” thought the boy, “I must have drifted on the track of ocean
+vessels by this time. I know there’s a line to Halifax, and another to
+Portland, besides the coasters.”
+
+With this thought came another. What if he should be run down during the
+night? The idea sent a shudder through his scantily clothed form. He
+knew that derelicts are often the cause of marine disasters, and during
+the dark hours the hulk might invite such a fate if he did not take
+steps to guard against it.
+
+Accordingly he lit his lantern and hung it in the underpinning of the
+inclined superstructure.
+
+“At least they can see that,” he thought, as he completed the hanging of
+his warning light.
+
+Then, having done all he well could under the circumstances, Harry cast
+himself down in the lee of the weather bulwarks and tried to sleep. But
+in his scanty attire he was far too cold to do aught but lie and shiver
+till his teeth chattered. He determined to pass the rest of the night
+below, and once more sought a couch in the empty bunk. But sleep was a
+long time coming. Tired, excited and hungry as the boy was, he could not
+compose himself to slumber. Ten or a dozen times he started up and ran
+to the deck, thinking that he had heard the distant beat of some
+vessel’s engines. But each time it proved a false alarm.
+
+At length tired nature asserted herself, and he sank to sleep in good
+earnest. When he awakened it was daylight, and there was an odd feeling
+about the motion of the _Betsy Jane_. She seemed to have ceased her
+rolling and pitching, and was almost steady in the water. Suddenly there
+came a jarring crash that almost threw Harry out of the bunk.
+
+Much startled, he ran on deck, and found, to his astonishment, that the
+vessel lay right off an island. Seemingly she had grounded on a reef of
+rocks stretching out from the island itself. At any rate, as the waves
+rocked her she gave a jarring, crunching bump with each pitch of her
+hull. The island appeared to be a small one, and in general appearance
+was not unlike Brig Island. In fact, at first Harry had thought that in
+some magical way the _Betsy Jane_ had drifted back to that small speck
+of land. But a second glance showed him that the island off which the
+dismantled hull had grounded differed in many essentials from the one he
+had left. Far to the westward, about twenty miles as well as the boy
+could judge, lay a dim streak of dark blue that Harry guessed was the
+mainland. But for all the good it did him it might have been a hundred
+miles removed.
+
+Harry was still gazing at the island and wondering how he could reach it
+before the _Betsy Jane_ pounded herself to pieces on the rocks, when he
+started violently. The island was not, as he had supposed,
+uninhabited—at least, he had caught sight of a swirl of blue smoke
+rising from among the trees on its highest part. This meant help,
+companionship and food. An involuntary cry of joy rose to the boy’s
+lips, which the next instant turned to a groan as he looked over the
+side of the schooner and saw that the reef on which she had struck was
+much too far out from the shore for him to try to swim the distance,
+even if a roaring, racing tide would not have made it suicidal to
+attempt the feat.
+
+“Unless I can attract the attention of whoever lives there by shouting,
+I’m as badly off as I was before,” exclaimed Harry, in a voice made
+quavery by panic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.—HARRY MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
+
+
+All at once, while he was still gazing at the column of smoke shoreward,
+Harry became aware of a figure coming out of the woods toward the beach.
+He shouted with all his might, and the man who had appeared from the
+undergrowth waved a reply.
+
+Then his voice came over the water.
+
+“What’s up?”
+
+The tone somehow was strangely familiar to Harry, and, for that matter,
+when he had first seen the figure of the newcomer it had struck him with
+an odd sense of familiarity. Suddenly he realized why this was.
+
+“Ben Stubbs!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.
+
+“Ahoy, mate!” came back after a pause; “who are you?”
+
+“Harry Chester!”
+
+“By the great horn spoon! What the dickens are you doing out there?”
+
+Cupping his hands to make his voice carry the better, Harry hailed back
+once more.
+
+“I drifted here on this hulk. Can you take me off?”
+
+“Can I? Wait a jiffy.”
+
+Ben Stubbs—for it was actually the “maroon” whom the boys had rescued
+from a miserable fate in the Nicaraguan treasure valley—began running
+along the shore as fast as his short legs would carry him. Presently he
+vanished around a wooded promontory, leaving Harry in a strange jumble
+of feelings. What could the good-hearted old companion of several of
+their adventures be doing on this desolate island off the Maine coast?
+When they had last heard from him he had been running a tug boat line in
+New York harbor, having purchased the business with the profits made out
+of the discovery of the treasure trove in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+Before a great while the man who had so opportunely appeared came into
+view once more This time he was in a skiff, rowing with strong strokes
+toward the stranded hulk of the _Betsy Jane_. Harry watched him with
+eager eyes. Fast as Ben Stubbs rowed, it seemed an eternity to the
+anxious boy before his strangely rediscovered friend reached the side of
+the grounded schooner.
+
+When he did so he hastily made fast, and was up the gangway ladder three
+steps at a time. Fortunately for his haste, the sea had diminished in
+roughness considerably, and the _Betsy Jane_ lay almost motionless on
+the reef. Otherwise he would have stood a strong chance of being thrown
+from his footing. Harry was at the gangway as Ben Stubbs’ weather-beaten
+countenance came into view at the top of the steps.
+
+Ben seized the boy’s hand in a grip that made Harry flinch, but he
+returned it with as strong a clench as he could. For a moment both of
+them were too much overcome with emotion at the strange meeting to utter
+a word. It was Ben who spoke first.
+
+“Waal, what under the revolving universe are you doing here?” he
+demanded.
+
+“I was about to ask the same question of you.”
+
+“It’s a long story, boy, and you look just about played out. What has
+happened? I never dreamed that you were even in this neighborhood.”
+
+“I guess the same thing applies to me, so far as you are concerned,
+Ben,” rejoined Harry, between a laugh and a sob. “As for myself, I’ve
+been adrift all night on this old hulk. Some rascals cut her loose from
+her moorings at Brig Island.”
+
+“Wow! you’ve drifted all the way from there. Why, it’s fifty miles or
+more away.”
+
+“I know it. It seemed a million to me. What worries me is what the
+others must be thinking. They won’t know if I’m dead or alive.”
+
+“We’ll find a way to let ’em know, never fear,” struck in Ben in his
+deep, rumbling voice; “but I reckon you’re hungry and thirsty?”
+
+“Am I? Why, I could eat a horse without sauce or salt, as you used to
+say.”
+
+“Then get in the skiff and come ashore. I’ve got a sort of a hut there.
+It ain’t much of a place, but I’ve got enough to eat and a good spring
+of clear water, and I can give you a suit of slops.”
+
+“But the schooner?” demanded Harry.
+
+“She’ll be all right, I reckon. She’s lying on a sort of sandy ridge
+that runs out here. The sea’s gone down so that she won’t do herself any
+harm, and we can’t do her any good right now. You see, the tide is
+falling. When it rises we’ll try to get her off and anchor her in a
+snugger berth.”
+
+Harry might have argued the point, but the prospect of food and drink
+made so strong an appeal to him that he did not stop to waste words.
+Five minutes later they were rowing ashore, and, while Ben bent to the
+oars with a will, Harry told him in detail all that happened since they
+came to Brig Island, and the reason of their presence there. He knew
+that he was safe in confiding in old Ben.
+
+The relation of his story occupied the entire trip to the shore, and
+when Ben had beached his skiff he seized Harry by the arm and began
+hurrying him up the beach toward a small hut, half canvas, half lumber,
+which stood back under the shelter of a low bluff. The boy was
+desperately anxious to learn the reason of Ben’s presence on the island,
+for he knew it could have no ordinary cause. But the weather-beaten old
+adventurer would not allow the boy to say another word till he had
+clothed himself and eaten all he could put away of a rabbit stew washed
+down with strong coffee.
+
+“Now, then,” remarked Ben, as soon as Harry had finished, “I suppose
+you’re a-dyin’ to hear what I’m doin’ on Barren Island, which is the
+name of this bit of land?”
+
+“I am, indeed,” declared Harry, shoving back the cracker box which had
+served him as a chair; “the last person in the world I would have
+expected to see when the _Betsy Jane_ grounded was Ben Stubbs.”
+
+Ben chuckled.
+
+“Allers turnin’ up, like a bad penny, ain’t I?” he said, shoving some
+very black tobacco into his old pipe. “’Member ther time I dropped out
+of the sky in thet dirigible balloon?”
+
+“Well, I should say I did,” laughed Harry; “but how you got here is past
+my comprehension. What became of the tug boat line?”
+
+Ben snapped his fingers.
+
+“All gone, my lad! Gone just like that! I reckon I’m not a good hand at
+business, or the crooked tricks that answers for that same. Anyhow, to
+make a long yarn a short one, I went on a friend’s note and he dug out.
+That was blow number one. To meet that note I had to mortgage some of my
+boats, and in some way—blow me if I rightly understand it yet—I got
+myself in a hole whar’ the lawyer fellers bled me till I was mighty near
+dry. I tried to struggle along, but it wasn’t no go. Then came a strike
+of tug boat hands and that finished me. I couldn’t stand the long lay
+off without anything to do, so I sold out for what I could get, and—and
+here I am.”
+
+“I’m mighty sorry to hear that you failed, Ben,” said Harry with real
+sympathy in his tones, “but you haven’t said yet what you are doing here
+on Barren Island, as you call it.”
+
+“I’m a-gettin’ to that, lad,” said Ben, emitting a cloud of blue smoke;
+“give me time. As I told you, that feller on whose note I went,
+skedaddled. You see, I’d trusted him as my own brother, bein’ as I knew
+his father when I was a miner. He—that’s this chap’s father, I mean—was
+a Frenchman, Raoul Duval was his name, and his son’s name the same. Old
+man Duval made his pile in Lower Californy and was makin’ fer his home
+in New Orleans when ther steamer he was travelin’ on blew up, and he and
+all his gold dust—a whalin’ big lot of it—went to the bottom.
+
+“I never calculated to hear anything more of Duval arter this, but one
+day this young feller I’ve been tellin’ you about shows up in New York
+and hunts me up. He tells me that he’s old Raoul’s son, and that he’d
+had a run of hard luck and so on, and wants to go into business, and if,
+for his father’s sake, I’ll help him out. I asks him how he found me
+out, and he says that in his father’s letters home I had often been
+mentioned, and that when he heard of the Stubbs Towing Line he made
+inquiries and found that I was in all probability the same man.
+
+“As I told you, I let him have the money. It don’t matter just how much,
+but it was quite a bit. You see, I did it for the old man’s sake. I was
+sorry afterward. Young Duval wasn’t a chip of the old block at all. He
+was idle and dissipated. His business went under and he skipped out.”
+
+“Did you lend him this money without security of any sort?” asked Harry
+incredulously.
+
+“In a way, yes. In another way, no. The young chap, when he came to me,
+had a wild story about knowing where the steamer on which his dad lost
+his life had sunk. He said that from letters written home before he left
+Lower Californy, he knew the old man was carrying with him, besides the
+dust, a fortune in black pearls. Of course, all these went down when the
+steamer blew up. He had tried, he said, to get a lot of folks interested
+in a scheme to get at the wreck and recover the dust and the pearls, but
+they had all laughed at him. He said if I’d give him the money he wanted
+he’d give me, in return, the plan of the location whar’ the steamer went
+down.”
+
+“And did he?”
+
+“Yes; but since he acted as he did I guess there’s no more truth in his
+yarn than there was in anything else he told me. Anyhow, I’ve never
+bothered my head about the matter since.”
+
+“Have you got the plan?”
+
+“Sure enough,” Ben fumbled in his pocket, “here it is; it’s a roughly
+drawn thing, as you see, but I reckon if the ship was really there it
+would be an easy matter to locate her bones.”
+
+Harry nodded. He was looking over the map with deep attention. It was,
+as Ben had said, a crudely drawn affair, and purported to have been
+sketched by one of the survivors of the wreck, who, of course, did not
+know that in the returning miner’s cabin there was so much wealth.
+
+“How did young Duval get hold of this?” he asked at last.
+
+“He said that by chance he met a man who was the lone survivor of the
+disaster. This feller didn’t know who Duval was, and began talking to
+him about the wreck. Duval, recollecting that his father had carried a
+sum that amounted to more than $75,000, was naturally interested. He
+asked the man if he could draw him a sketch of the scene where the
+steamer sank. The feller said he could, and that thar sketch is what he
+drawed. At least that’s Duval’s story, and I’m frank to tell you I don’t
+believe a word of it.”
+
+“But still you haven’t told me what you are doing on this island,” said
+Harry after an interval.
+
+“That’s so, too, lad. I got so interested in tellin’ my troubles I clean
+forgot about Barren Island. Well, it’s this way. Arter the crash I felt
+ashamed to show my face. Oh, all the creditors were paid up—every last
+one of ’em. But I felt like I was an old failure, and good fer nuthin’,
+so I remembered all of a sudden about this island that I’d been stranded
+on a good many years ago. I made inquiries and found that I could live
+here rent free as long as I liked, with none to interfere, and so I came
+here. It’s quiet and might be lonesome to some folks, but it suits me
+well enough, and I was calculatin’ to spend the rest of my days here,
+till you came along. But I feel different now.”
+
+“How’s that?” asked Harry, not knowing well just what to say to the old
+man who took his business failure so much to heart.
+
+“Why, I was watching you studyin’ that map. I could see by yer face that
+you put some stock in Duval’s yarn. Ain’t that so?”
+
+Harry could not but confess that it was. The old man’s story, and the
+map, had aroused in him the strong desire for adventure that both Boy
+Aviators possessed to a marked degree. Of course, from what Ben had
+said, Duval did not appear to be a person on whom much reliance could be
+placed, but then, again, there was the map, and it at least, even if
+crude, appeared to have been a genuine effort to mark the spot where the
+wreck lay. It showed a bayou marked “Black Bayou,” running back from the
+main stream of the Mississippi. A black dot some distance up this bayou
+was lettered “Belle of New Orleans,” presumably the name of the steamer
+on which Duval met his end.
+
+The boy was still pondering over the map when, from seaward, there came
+a sound that made both Harry Chester and Ben Stubbs spring to their
+feet.
+
+“It’s a gun!” shouted the old man, as the booming echoes died away; “may
+be a ship in distress.”
+
+“Hardly, in this weather,” rejoined Harry, in a perplexed tone.
+
+But Ben Stubbs had darted from the shanty and was running for the
+beached skiff. A minute later Harry was close on his heels, and
+presently they were pulling around the point, about to run into the
+surprise of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.—A PUZZLING PROBLEM.
+
+
+It is now time that we returned to the island where we left Pudge
+Perkins patrolling the beach, and Frank Chester and Billy Barnes wrapped
+in slumber. Frank had set the alarm clock for midnight, when it had been
+arranged that he and Billy were to turn out on patrol, and its insistent
+clamor had only just commenced when he sprang out of his bunk broad
+awake and prepared to go on duty. Billy stretched and yawned a bit
+before he, too, tumbled out.
+
+“Gee whillakers!” he exclaimed, as he got into his clothes, “it seems to
+me that we are making a lot of fuss over nothing, Frank. I don’t believe
+those fellows will come near the island to-night.”
+
+“Perhaps not; but it’s our duty to be on guard. If anything happened to
+Dr. Perkins’ invention now it would be almost impossible to repair it in
+time for the tests he wants to make.”
+
+Talking thus the two lads got into their clothes, drank some coffee,
+which Frank had prepared while they were dressing, and then set out into
+the night. They made for the cove from which Harry had started his
+eventful swim.
+
+“Best wait here till they come round,” said Frank, and he and Billy
+found places in the sand and made themselves as comfortable as possible
+till they should hear the footsteps of one of the young sentries. They
+had not long to wait. Hardly fifteen minutes had elapsed before Frank’s
+sharp ears caught the sound of some one approaching. A minute later
+Pudge joined them. His first words were not calculated to make the
+newcomers feel at ease.
+
+“Where’s Harry?” he demanded.
+
+“Don’t you know?” ejaculated Frank with considerable surprise.
+
+“No. I’ve been making my patrol regularly, and the last three times I’ve
+been round I haven’t met him.”
+
+Frank’s face could only be dimly seen in the darkness, but all his alarm
+was plain enough in his next words.
+
+“What can have become of him?”
+
+“Maybe he took the dinghy and decided to look over the motor boat and
+the hulk,” suggested Billy.
+
+“That’s easy enough to find out,” declared Frank, starting for the place
+where the dinghy had been beached. A moment later he stumbled over the
+anchor and, closely following this, by the aid of a lighted match, he
+made the discovery that the rope had been slashed.
+
+“Harry never took that dinghy,” he exclaimed apprehensively, “there’s
+been some crooked work here.”
+
+“Thunder and turtles! What do you mean?” gasped Pudge, fully as
+anxiously.
+
+“That some one has landed here and stolen the dinghy and taken Harry
+along with them. I can’t think of any other explanation. Harry would
+never have cut that rope.”
+
+“You mean he’s been carried off?” The question came from Billy Barnes.
+
+“I can’t think of any other explanation. Pudge, did you hear anything
+that sounded suspicious?”
+
+“Oilskins and onions, no! Not a sound. Let’s fire a pistol and see if we
+get any answer.”
+
+“That’s a good idea, Pudge—Great Scott!”
+
+“What’s the matter?” demanded Billy Barnes, as Frank broke off short and
+uttered the above exclamation.
+
+“Look here! Harry’s clothes! Wait till I get a light. There! Now, see
+all his outer garments and his pistol lying by them.”
+
+“Gatling guns and grass hoppers, if this doesn’t beat all.”
+
+“He can’t have been carried off, then,” burst out Billy, “but if he
+wasn’t, how did that dinghy rope come to be cut?”
+
+Frank made no answer at the moment. The discovery of Harry’s clothes on
+the beach had put a dreadful fear into his mind. What if the boy had
+heard a disturbance on the hulk or on the motor boat and, having swum
+off to see what was the trouble, had been seized with a cramp and
+drowned?
+
+But Frank firmly thrust the question from him the next minute. Such
+thoughts were by far too unnerving to be dwelt on. The others remained
+silent. They seemed to be waiting for Frank to speak. Presently the
+words came.
+
+“It’s too dark to see anything out there,” said the boy, in as firm a
+voice as he could command. “Let’s fire three shots—the signal we agreed
+upon—and then if Harry is on the hulk or the motor boat he will be sure
+to answer them.”
+
+The others agreed that this seemed about the best thing to do, and
+Pudge, taking Harry’s discarded weapon, fired it three times. Then came
+a long pause, filled with an ominous silence.
+
+“Try again,” said Frank in a strained voice. Once more three sharp
+reports sounded. But again there was no answer.
+
+“That settles it,” declared Frank solemnly; “something has happened to
+Harry. We must get out to the hulk and to the motor boat.”
+
+“How? The dinghy’s gone, and——”
+
+“I’m going to swim for it.”
+
+Already Frank had thrown off his outer garments. On the beach lay a balk
+of timber which they sometimes used to tie the dinghy to. Frank now
+ordered his companions to help in rolling this down to the water.
+
+“I’m going to use it as a help in swimming out there,” he said; “the
+water’s pretty cold, and I don’t want to risk a cramp.”
+
+“Wait till daylight, Frank,” urged Billy; “it won’t be long till dawn
+now, and——”
+
+But Frank cut him short abruptly.
+
+“My brother’s out there somewhere,” he said in a sharp, decisive voice,
+“and I’m going to find out what’s happened to him.”
+
+A minute later Frank was in the water pushing the balk of timber before
+him and heading, as nearly as he knew how, for the spot where the hulk
+and the motor boat had been moored.
+
+It was more than half an hour before Billy and Pudge saw him again. Then
+he reappeared, chilled through and shivering in every limb. His first
+words almost deprived his companions of breath.
+
+“They’re gone!” he exclaimed.
+
+“What!” the exclamation came from both Billy and Pudge simultaneously.
+They guessed by some sort of intuition what Frank referred to.
+
+“Yes, they’re both gone,” repeated Frank; “the _Betsy Jane_ and the
+motor boat.”
+
+“Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Frank?” inquired Billy, unwilling to
+believe the extent of the catastrophe that had overtaken them.
+
+“I’m as sure that they’re gone as I am that I am standing here,” was the
+reply. “I cruised about on my log for quite a radius, and couldn’t
+discover a sign of them. I found the motor boat’s buoy, though. She had
+been untied by some one.”
+
+“But the _Betsy Jane_? Schooners and succotash! The _Betsy Jane_!” broke
+in Pudge.
+
+“Gone, too,” Frank’s voice broke, “but I wouldn’t care about either if I
+only knew what had become of Harry.”
+
+“Come on up to the hut and we’ll have some hot coffee and talk it over,”
+said Billy, who saw that Frank, besides being almost numb with cold, was
+half crazy at the mystery of Harry’s fate.
+
+Frank suffered himself to be led up to the hut and the rest of the night
+was passed in speculation as to the fate of the missing boy. All three
+of the lads were pretty sure that the two Daniels had had a hand in the
+night’s work somehow, but they were far from guessing what had actually
+occurred.
+
+Soon after daylight the wireless began working. Dr. Perkins notified
+them from Portland that he expected to arrive that afternoon at
+Motthaven, and wished them to meet him. Frank found some relief for his
+wrought-up feelings in informing the inventor of what had occurred.
+
+“Will charter fast boat and be there with all speed,” came the reply
+through the air; “make the best of it till I come. Am confident that
+everything will come out all right.”
+
+And with this message the “marooned” trio on the island had to be
+content. The day was passed in making a careful survey of the island to
+discover, if possible, some trace of the marauders. But none was to be
+found. The tide had even obliterated any footmarks they might have left
+in the damp sand. Thoroughly disheartened and miserable, the boys ate a
+scanty lunch and then sat down to await the arrival of Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was sundown when a fast motor boat appeared to the southward,
+cleaving the water at a rapid rate. A quarter of an hour later Dr.
+Perkins was hearing from the boys’ own lips the strange story of their
+adventures of the past day and night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.—THE DERELICT DESTROYER.
+
+
+Assuredly it was a surprising sight that greeted the eyes of Harry and
+Ben Stubbs as the latter pulled the skiff around the point. Not half a
+mile away lay a dull, gray-colored craft like a gunboat, with the Stars
+and Stripes floating from her stern. From her bow a puff of smoke was
+drifting away, showing that she had been the craft that had fired the
+shot which had aroused them.
+
+But what could she be doing? Above all, why had the shot been fired?
+Harry’s eyes furnished the answer as he saw that part of the rail of the
+schooner was missing, a jagged break showing where it had been torn
+away.
+
+“Great guns!” shouted Ben, “they’ve bin firin’ at your old hulk.”
+
+As he spoke there was a flash from the side of the lead-colored craft,
+and a projectile shrieked by above the pair in the boat, causing them to
+duck involuntarily.
+
+“Cracky!” shouted Harry, “I’ve got it. That craft is a derelict
+destroyer. One of Uncle Sam’s craft whose duty it is to put obstructions
+to navigation out of the way.”
+
+“You’re right, boy, and they are bent on sending that there _Betsy Jane_
+to the bottom.”
+
+“We must stop them,” ejaculated Harry excitedly; “that schooner is
+wanted by Mr. Perkins to use in his experiments. That’s why he had the
+runway built. We must signal them somehow.”
+
+“No need to, lad. See, here comes a boat.”
+
+Sure enough, as he spoke a cutter was lowered from the warlike-looking
+vessel’s side, and before long, impelled by muscular arms, it was flying
+over the water toward the hulk.
+
+“Pull round and meet them,” suggested Harry.
+
+But Ben was already doing that very thing. So fast did the government
+cutter approach that just as the skiff was rounding the stern of the
+ill-used _Betsy Jane_, the former craft, with a dapper young officer in
+the stern, was drawing alongside the hulk.
+
+The astonishment of the officer was great when Harry explained matters.
+
+“It’s lucky that I decided to make an examination into the effect of the
+shots already fired before I finished her up,” he laughed. “I am in
+command of the United States derelict destroyer _Seneca_, yonder. We’ve
+just despatched an old hulk some miles out at sea, and when, on our
+return down the coast, we saw your old hull, we thought it was a good
+chance to try out a new kind of gun we have to despatch these menaces to
+navigation.”
+
+“I’m glad we heard your first shot in time to explain matters,” said
+Harry; “this craft belongs to Dr. Perkins, the aëronautical inventor,
+who wishes to use it in some experiments. As I told you, I unfortunately
+drifted to sea in it when some rascals cut the rope.”
+
+The officer sympathized to the full with Harry and offered to give him a
+spark plug for his motor boat from a supply carried for a similar craft
+on board the _Seneca_.
+
+“But,” he continued, “I’ve got a better plan than that. I’m bound down
+the coast. I know Dr. Perkins slightly and should be glad to do him a
+service. Why not accept a tow from me? I’ll get you to Brig Island by
+nightfall anyway, and that’s much quicker than you could tow this hulk
+with the motor boat, even if you _could_ get her off the sand.”
+
+Harry gladly agreed to this arrangement. A line was made fast to the
+_Betsy Jane_ and affixed to the towing bitts of the derelict destroyer.
+The tide by this time had turned, and after a short struggle the _Betsy
+Jane_ once more floated in deep water.
+
+“I don’t know if this is exactly regular,” remarked the young officer in
+command, when the hulk lay bobbing astern of the trim and trig
+government craft, “but I guess it’s all in the line of duty. So come on
+board.”
+
+Harry and Ben were in the skiff alongside the _Betsy Jane_ when this
+offer was made.
+
+Without hesitation Harry stepped upon the companionway. He turned to
+Ben, and was about to bid that veteran adventurer good-by, with a
+promise to visit Barren Island in the near future, when, to his
+astonishment, Ben calmly hitched his skiff alongside the motor boat and
+stepped up after him.
+
+“I reckon I’ve had about enough of that island,” he said; “I’m a-goin’
+to ship with you on this cruise if it’s agreeable.”
+
+“Agreeable?” laughed Harry. “Why, Ben, you are as welcome as the flowers
+in May. But haven’t you left a lot of stuff behind on the island?”
+
+“Nothing that ’ull hurt. The only other suit I own you’ve got on, and
+funny enough you look in it, too,” and Ben chuckled; “as for the hut and
+what grub’s left, and so forth, any one’s welcome to ’em that takes a
+fancy to ’em. I’ve got a bit left in the bank yet, and I guess I can
+afford a new outfit anyway, so heave ahead, Mister Skipper, as soon as
+you’re ready.”
+
+The officer, who had watched this scene in some astonishment, broke into
+a laugh.
+
+“I see you are an individual of impulse,” he said, “but if you want to
+go along it will spare my sending a man on board the schooner to help
+our young friend.”
+
+“Waal, then, it’s an arrangement that’s agreeable to all parties,”
+rejoined Ben, lighting his pipe; “so that’s all settled.”
+
+A short time later the _Seneca_ moved ahead, at first slowly, and then
+faster, while the wandering _Betsy Jane_ followed docilely after her
+through the now calm sea. True to Lieut. MacAllister’s promise, they
+were off Brig Island by sunset. As deep water extended close inshore,
+the derelict destroyer was enabled to tow the hulk almost up to the
+boys’ “front door,” so to speak, and from the beach a little group set
+up a loud cheer as the _Betsy Jane’s_ spare anchor rattled down and she
+swung at rest.
+
+The presence of the little party to witness the arrival is due to the
+fact that Lieut. MacAllister, who knew from Harry that there was a
+wireless on the island, had kept his operator busy sending “bulletins”
+to Dr. Perkins all the way down the coast; and so, when first the
+_Seneca’s_ smoke streaked the horizon, all was ready to give the
+returned wanderer a big reception.
+
+The _Betsy Jane_, having been safely anchored, the _Seneca_, with three
+toots of her siren, departed on her way, while Harry and Ben lost no
+time in tumbling into the skiff and rowing ashore. To describe what took
+place then would take up a lot of space without giving any clearer
+picture of the reunion that each of you can imagine for himself.
+
+Readers of the former volumes of this series know how highly the Boy
+Aviators regarded Ben Stubbs, and after a short conversation with him
+Dr. Perkins came to share their good opinion of the rugged old
+adventurer. It would be impossible to tell with accuracy how many times
+that night Harry’s story was told, and how many times Frank and the
+others repeated the tale of their anxious hours while he was missing.
+The first wireless flash from the _Seneca_, Frank described as “the best
+thing that ever happened.” This opinion the others heartily echoed.
+
+“Well,” said Dr. Perkins, as at last they made ready to “turn in,” “all
+is well that ends well, and to-morrow I have an announcement of some
+interest to make to you lads. From my inspection of the work done so far
+on the ‘_Sea Eagle_,’ as I have decided to christen her, I think that
+within a few days we can take her on her trial trip.”
+
+“Anchors and aëroplanes!” shouted Pudge, in high glee, “I book passage
+right now!”
+
+“And I—and I—and I,” came from the others, while Ben Stubbs inquired
+plaintively if there would be room for him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.—THE FLIGHT OF THE “SEA EAGLE.”
+
+
+Having already given a brief description of Dr. Perkins’ _Sea Eagle_, it
+would be wearisome to dwell in detail on all that was done during the
+next week to put that craft in shape for the final tests, upon which so
+much depended. It may be said here, though, that besides a visit paid to
+Motthaven in an effort to secure the apprehension of the two Daniels, a
+search was prosecuted for the missing dinghy. Neither mission proved
+successful.
+
+The Daniels, having discovered that Harry was on board the _Betsy Jane_
+after they cut that craft loose, had vanished from the little community.
+As for the dinghy, it was supposed that they had taken that small craft
+with them. At any rate, it was impossible to get any news of their
+whereabouts on shore. This may be attributed to a distinct prejudice
+felt by the fishing community against the dwellers on Brig Island. Your
+down-easter is inquisitive to a degree, and the secrecy under which
+operations on the island were carried on was felt as a distinct affront
+to the little town. So therefore, although the local authorities
+promised every co-operation in seeking out the Daniels and punishing
+them for their outrageous conduct, it may be doubted if the efforts went
+much further than the mere assurance.
+
+But after all, in the rush of interesting work that was now on hand, the
+Daniels were almost forgotten. The _Betsy Jane_ had been towed round
+into the nearer cove, where she could be constantly watched, and the
+motor boat was used in the operation, the officer of the derelict
+destroyer having fulfilled his promise to furnish the boys with a new
+spark plug for the engine in place of the one taken by the marauders.
+
+The morning after Harry’s return to the island Dr. Perkins had laid down
+a systematic plan of action. Frank and Harry were assigned to aid him in
+giving the finishing touches to the _Sea Eagle_, while his son and Billy
+Barnes were set to work with axes to clear a sort of runway down to the
+beach. Both Billy and Pudge would much rather have had a hand in the
+mechanical part of the work, but they pluckily went ahead on their
+designated duty and stuck to it till a broad path had been cleared from
+the summit of the island to the margin of the beach.
+
+When this “roadway” through the brush had been cleared, two lines of
+planking, firmly nailed to stout supports, were run down on each side of
+it, forming a sort of railway, similar to those from which vessels are
+launched.
+
+It was down this runway that it was designed to introduce the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her initial plunge. At last the day arrived when all was
+complete, and the _Sea Eagle_ was pronounced fit for the test. During
+the night before this event not one of the boys got more than half his
+usual allowance of sleep. In fact, it is doubtful if Dr. Perkins enjoyed
+much more repose.
+
+By earliest dawn they were out, to find every promise of a glorious day.
+Breakfast that morning was a hasty apology for a meal, and hardly had it
+been gulped down before all hands were in the _Sea Eagle’s_ shed. As has
+been said, the boat-like underbody of the craft had been mounted on a
+wheeled frame before it was assembled. All that had to be done then to
+get everything in readiness for the final test was to make fast a block
+and tackle to a stoutly rooted tree, and then wheel the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the top of the inclined runway.
+
+When the odd-looking craft was safely poised on the top of the rails the
+loose end of the tackle was made fast to the stern of the substructure,
+and Billy, Pudge and Harry were delegated to “belay” the rope as
+required. Frank and Dr. Perkins seated themselves in the “boat,” and at
+the words “Let her go!” the _Sea Eagle_ in her wheeled frame began her
+descent down the runway. By means of the tackle the three boys at the
+summit of the incline easily controlled the novel craft’s descent,
+stopping from time to time while Dr. Perkins and Frank made a survey to
+see that all was going well.
+
+“Bunting and buttercakes!” grumbled Pudge, as the boys alternately “let
+go” and “hauled in” on the tackle, “I thought a launching was more of a
+gala event than this.”
+
+“I guess the doctor is too anxious to test out the _Sea Eagle_ to bother
+with the trimmings,” laughed Harry; “it’s _results_ that he’s after.”
+
+As a matter of fact, the launching of the _Sea Eagle_ was a very mild
+affair compared with what might have been expected. Had the villagers
+ashore known of it, doubtless a small fleet of boats would have been
+lying off the cove to witness it, but it was for that very reason that
+the deepest secrecy had been observed, and that the early hour had been
+chosen. As Dr. Perkins said, he “didn’t want any fuss and feathers” made
+over what was merely, after all, an experiment.
+
+The rolling glide down the runway was made without incident, and at last
+the bow of the _Sea Eagle’s_ “hull” struck the water. A cheer went up
+then that, rang shrill and clear out over the calm sea. Even Dr. Perkins
+joined in the enthusiasm, as well he might, for the goal of his ambition
+was in sight at last.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ had been sent on her initial voyage without the
+aëroplane wings or the auxiliary lifting bags being attached. It was
+desired, first of all, to try out her qualities as a water skimmer. As
+soon as she was fairly afloat, the wheeled carriage on which the descent
+had been made was drawn ashore. Having been weighted before the start
+was made, it of course sank under the _Sea Eagle_ when the sea and air
+craft floated, thus allowing it to be reclaimed with ease.
+
+“Looks like a butterfly with its wings clipped off,” commented Billy
+Barnes as, with the others, he hastened to the beach as soon as their
+task was over.
+
+Indeed, the odd-shaped hull, with its naked frame and two gaunt aërial
+propellers, did look strangely incomplete. But the boys knew that the
+wings were all ready for instant attachment. In fact, it was one of the
+features of the _Sea Eagle_ that the craft was capable of being taken to
+pieces and put together again with very little loss of time or labor.
+
+As the hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ floated clear of the
+weighted frame in which it had made its journey to the beach, Frank
+looked inquiringly at the inventor. His hand was on the self-starting
+device which put the powerful motor in operation. Dr. Perkins was
+actually pale, and Frank could see that his strong hand shook
+perceptibly as he nodded his head.
+
+But he mastered his nervousness quickly, and, grasping the
+steering-wheel in a firm grip, he spoke:
+
+“You can start up now,” he said.
+
+Frank turned the starting handle, admitting a charge of gas to the
+cylinders. Then he pressed a button and instantly the motor responded
+with a roar and a series of explosions, like those of a battery of
+gatling guns going into action. Having started it he admitted gasolene,
+and adjusted the carburetor till the cylinders were all working
+steadily.
+
+Close to Dr. Perkins’ hand was a lever. This, when moved, “threw in” the
+clutch connecting the motor with the driving mechanism. Directly Frank
+had finished tuning up the motor Dr. Perkins’ hand reached for the
+lever. He jerked it nervously back. There was a whirr and a buzz, as the
+chains whirled the twin propellers round, and at the same instant the
+_Sea Eagle_ darted forward like an arrow from a bow.
+
+Faster and faster she went, getting up speed with seemingly marvelous
+rapidity. But instead of driving deeper into the water, under the
+pressure of the aërial propellers which rushed her forward through the
+atmosphere, the faster the _Sea Eagle_ was driven the more lightly did
+the craft skim the surface of the water, till at top speed—2,000
+revolutions a minute—her bottom barely touched the water. This was owing
+to the peculiar construction of the hull, which was designed so as to
+“plane” the water in exactly the manner it did.
+
+Cheer after cheer broke from the lads on shore as they saw the swift
+craft dart off, slicing the tops of the small waves like a cream
+skimmer. Dr. Perkins circumnavigated the island three times before he
+gave the signal to Frank to slow down. Then, releasing the clutch, the
+inventor allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to come to rest, with its bow almost
+touching the beach.
+
+“Now we will have a weight test,” he announced; “come on, boys.”
+
+The lads ashore surely needed no second invitation. Without bothering to
+remove shoes or stockings they waded into the water and out to the _Sea
+Eagle’s_ side. In less time than it takes to tell it they were swarming
+over the side of the cockpit and struggling for positions near the
+engine. But Dr. Perkins made them arrange themselves so that their
+weight would be evenly distributed. Ben Stubbs and Harry sat in the
+extreme stern, while Pudge and Billy occupied opposite seats amidships.
+
+This done, off darted the _Sea Eagle_ once more, and speedily set at
+rest all doubts as to her capability to “plane,” or skim the water,
+under an added load.
+
+“It’s like riding on a floating island over a sea of raspberry ice cream
+soda,” declared Billy, when he was asked later to describe his
+sensations.
+
+But a severer test awaited the _Sea Eagle_, namely, the trying out of
+her capacity actually to rise into the air. The craft was run partially
+ashore, and the great wings bolted in place and the stay wires adjusted.
+The stay wires were tightened by turn buckles till they were taut as
+fiddle strings, assuring stability of the wings. But in addition the
+wings were, of course, partially supported on the light but strong
+skeleton framework before noticed.
+
+Much to the disappointment of the others, only Frank and Harry Chester
+and Dr. Perkins were to participate in the flying trials. But they took
+it all in good part, being promised rides later if the tests were
+successful. As before, the _Sea Eagle_, after she had been backed off
+and the propellers started, skimmed along the top of the water like a
+flying fish. But all at once the watchers on shore saw her rise bodily
+from the water and soar upward into the air. Higher and higher went the
+craft, gliding like a gull through the ether. It was an inspiring sight,
+and a perfect tornado of yells broke from Ben Stubbs, Billy and Pudge.
+But those on board the _Sea Eagle_ could not hear the sounds of
+enthusiasm above the roaring of the motor.
+
+Under Dr. Perkins’ skillful guidance the _Sea Eagle_ climbed the aërial
+staircase till a height shown by the barograph to be almost 4,000 feet
+had been attained.
+
+“Now to test the buoyancy apparatus,” cried the doctor suddenly. “Shut
+off power, Frank.”
+
+Frank, who knew what was coming, obeyed the order and turned a valve
+admitting the pure hydrogen gas from one of the cylinders into the
+buoyancy devices. Instantly the upper wings swelled, till they resembled
+puffed-out mattresses more than anything else, and the “volplaning”
+downward movement was perceptibly checked. But, setting the descending
+device, Dr. Perkins headed the _Sea Eagle_ for the water, and,
+skillfully manipulating the craft, landed it as lightly as a drifting
+feather on the water by the hull of the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Now came a further trial of the capabilities of the wonderful new craft
+which, so far, had proven such a success. Dr. Perkins set the planes in
+a rising position and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to hover above the _Betsy
+Jane_, like the bird for which the aërial craft had been named. Then
+suddenly he began a rapid descent, landing finally on the very summit of
+the inclined runway before mentioned. The sides of the _Sea Eagle_ were
+equipped with large metal hooks, which were hastily thrown out by the
+boys and attached to four “eyes” arranged to receive them.
+
+When this had been done the suction pump was set to work, and the
+inflated wings emptied of the gas, which was forced back into its
+receiver, and the valve closed. It was calculated that less than two per
+cent of the gas was lost during the process. The _Sea Eagle_ was now
+once more a simple hydroplane, without any buoyancy device.
+
+At a word from Dr. Perkins the hooks which had held the machine in place
+were disengaged, and instantly the craft began to glide down the runway.
+Half way down the engine was started, and when the graceful craft
+reached the abrupt end of the incline, the _Sea Eagle_ went soaring off
+into space like a huge white-winged bird. This test was regarded by Dr.
+Perkins as the most important, for it proved the entire practicability
+of launching the _Sea Eagle_ from a ship far out on the ocean.
+
+After circling in the air a few times the tests were concluded by a
+rapid drop toward the earth right above the summit of the island. Just
+as it seemed as if the new craft must end her career by being dashed to
+bits against the construction shed, a skillful twist of the steering
+device sent her soaring upward once more. Two more swinging aërial loops
+were described, and then, with hardly a jar or vibration, the _Sea
+Eagle_ was brought to rest by her inventor, almost in front of the shed
+where she had been assembled.
+
+As the thrilling and wonderful trip was concluded, the boys came
+pressing about Dr. Perkins, showering congratulations and good wishes.
+
+“Why, one could fly across the ocean in such a craft,” declared Frank
+enthusiastically.
+
+The others laughed, but, to their astonishment, Dr. Perkins looked
+perfectly serious.
+
+“I have a long trip in view,” he said, “a flight that will test every
+wire and bolt in the _Sea_ _Eagle’s_ construction. I did not announce
+this before for I wished first to see if everything worked
+satisfactorily.”
+
+“No doubt about that,” said Billy Barnes with enthusiasm. He had been
+dodging about the great flying machine, taking photos from every
+possible angle.
+
+“No,” admitted Dr. Perkins; “I must say that so far the _Sea Eagle_ is
+all that I could desire. But the final test will put that beyond the
+shadow of a doubt. Do you boys wish to undertake a long trip?”
+
+“Cookies and cucumbers! Do we!” roared Pudge, as the others pressed
+eagerly about to hear the unveiling of the doctor’s plan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.—“C. Q. D.!”
+
+
+But they were compelled to curb their impatience till that evening after
+supper, for the doctor set every one busily to work “stabling” the _Sea
+Eagle_ and attending to the engines after the hard test they had
+undergone. Every part was carefully gone over, and it was found that
+despite the strain of the novel craft’s first try-out, nothing save a
+few minor adjustments were required.
+
+“Now, dad,” said Pudge, after the dishes had been washed and Ben had his
+pipe going, and the others were perched on the edge of the lower bunks,
+like so many birds on a rail, “now, then, dad, we are ready to hear your
+plans for that cruise.”
+
+Dr. Perkins smiled.
+
+“I’m afraid, my boy,” he said, “that you are in for a disappointment.
+While I thoroughly believe the _Sea Eagle_ is capable of conveying our
+whole party through almost anything, I am unwilling to place too great a
+burden on her at her first long-distance trial.”
+
+Pudge’s face lengthened.
+
+“Oceans and octopuses!” he groaned, “I s’pose I’m to be left behind, as
+usual.”
+
+“I’m afraid it will be necessary,” was the reply; “you see, there will
+only be room under my present plan for experienced navigators. But not
+to keep you in suspense any longer, my present plan is to cruise down
+the coast to Florida, round that peninsula, and then fly up to New
+Orleans, and then possibly I might test out the _Sea Eagle_ still
+further on a flight up the Mississippi.”
+
+“Wow! And we’re to miss all that?”
+
+“Not _all_ of it, Pudge,” smiled the doctor. “I was planning to send you
+and Billy on ahead to meet us at New Orleans and make arrangements for
+our arrival there.”
+
+“Cookies and catamounts! That’s not so bad. I’ve always longed to see
+New Orleans. But, then, would you take us with you up the Mississippi?”
+
+“If we go—yes.”
+
+“Look a-here,” struck in Ben’s bass voice at this point, “I don’t want
+to butt in, or nothing like that, doctor; but this here is a cruise that
+just suits me. Would you have any objection if I went along with ther
+boys ter New Orleans?”
+
+“Why, I hadn’t thought of it,” confessed Dr. Perkins.
+
+“You see, I’ve got some partic’lar business down that way,” said Ben,
+with a portentous wink at Harry; “ain’t I, Harry?”
+
+The boy addressed instantly guessed that Ben referred to the supposed
+treasure trove lying at the bottom of the Black Bayou. Now, in the rush
+of events following Harry’s return from his strange cruise on the _Betsy
+Jane_, he had quite forgotten about Raoul Duval’s map. But now it
+flashed back on him, and the recollection caused him to flush with
+excitement.
+
+Dr. Perkins looked puzzled, while a glance of intelligence shot between
+the grizzled old adventurer and the boy.
+
+“Have I got your leave to tell about the sunken steamer?” inquired
+Harry.
+
+“Sure. Heave ahead, my boy,” was the hearty answer; “I was never much of
+a hand at spinning a yarn.”
+
+“Pirates and petticoats! What’s all this about a yarn and a sunken
+ship?” demanded Pudge.
+
+“Sounds like some fresh adventure. Anything like the Buena Ventura
+cruise?” asked Billy Barnes, referring, of course, to their experiences
+in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+“I hope not,” laughed Harry. “No, this is a much tamer affair,” he
+continued. “Ben, here, thinks that he knows of a craft sunk in a bayou
+off the Mississippi, on board of which is a small fortune in gold dust
+and black pearls.”
+
+“Gold dust and black pearls!” cried Billy Barnes. “Wow! that sounds like
+a regular story.”
+
+“Suppose we let Harry heave ahead, as Ben calls it, and tell us what all
+this is about,” suggested Frank quietly. But his eyes were shining. He
+knew that what Harry was about to communicate must be of deep interest
+from the manner in which the boy had spoken.
+
+“Yes, let us hear the story,” said Dr. Perkins; “since we plan to be
+down in that region, anything of interest to be investigated will add to
+the pleasure of the trip.”
+
+Thereupon Harry, without further delay, plunged into the narrative as
+Ben had related it to him. He was interrupted from time to time by
+excited exclamations, but at last he finished his narration and then,
+turning to Dr. Perkins, he said:
+
+“What do you think of it, sir?”
+
+“Aye, aye,” growled out Ben, “supposin’ the yarn is true, have I got a
+legal right to the stuff?”
+
+“Undoubtedly, if you have papers assigning the claim to you,” said Mr.
+Perkins, after a moment’s thought.
+
+“Oh, I’ve got them fast enough. I was goin’ to chuck ’em away, but I
+thought better of it. Glad I did now, but you see I never thought I’d
+have a chance to go down there.”
+
+Ben reached into his pocket and drew out a battered, brown leather
+wallet. From it he produced Raoul Duval’s promise to deed him his
+(Duval’s) interest in the supposed treasure chest, providing the loan
+Ben had made the mining man’s son was not repaid. He handed the document
+to Dr. Perkins, who perused it with knitted brows.
+
+“This certainly appears to give you a legal claim to whatever may be of
+value in the late Duval’s effects,” he said.
+
+“Then you think it is worth looking into?”
+
+“By all means. While the story sounds fanciful to a degree, it is not
+much more so than plenty of recorded cases. At all events, no harm can
+be done by trying to locate the wreck, and it may be the means of
+rehabilitating your fortunes.”
+
+“I dunno what that means,” grinned Ben, “but if it signifies that I’m to
+get some money out of the cruise, I’m willing right now to split it up
+any way it suits you.”
+
+“We can talk about that later,” said Dr. Perkins, with a smile at the
+old man’s enthusiasm; “now would you mind letting me have a look at that
+map to which Harry has referred?”
+
+“Here it be,” grunted Ben, once more diving into the wallet and
+producing the map that Harry had looked over on Barren Island.
+
+“At any rate, this looks definite enough,” declared Dr. Perkins after a
+careful examination of it. “Of course, as this Duval appears to be a
+thorough rascal, he may have ‘cooked this up,’ as the saying goes, in
+order to induce you to make him a loan. But certain things about it make
+me believe that it may be genuine. I recall reading some time ago a
+newspaper account of mysteries of the Mississippi, and among them was an
+account of the serious disaster to the _Belle of New Orleans_, so, at
+any rate, that part of the story is authentic enough.”
+
+“Meanin’ it’s true,” murmured Ben. “Waal, if you’ll help me we’ll soon
+find out the truth of it, or otherwise.”
+
+“As I said,” rejoined Dr. Perkins, “I had intended to cruise up the
+Mississippi from New Orleans. What you have told us furnishes us with a
+distinct object in making the trip, and,” he added with a smile, “I
+suppose the spice of adventure about it does not displease the lads
+here.”
+
+Frank was about to reply when, from the wireless table, there came a
+queer buzzing sound from an instrument which the boy had connected with
+his detector.
+
+“Hullo! some one is sending out a message,” he exclaimed, “and our wires
+have caught it. Wonder what it can be.”
+
+The boy rose and went over to the wireless table. Seating himself on the
+stool in front of the instruments he adjusted the “phones” and began
+putting his variable condenser in tune to catch whatever message was
+pulsing through the air.
+
+“What’s coming?” demanded Harry, as the instruments began to crackle and
+snap.
+
+“Don’t know yet,” spoke Frank, again changing the capacity of the
+condenser; “looks as if——”
+
+He ceased speaking suddenly. Sliding his hand across the table he made
+an adjustment to catch longer sound waves. Instantly a hail of aërial
+dots and dashes came pattering against his ear drums, like rain on a
+window pane.
+
+With startling suddenness Frank sensed the meaning of the storm of
+desperate flashes.
+
+“C-Q-D! C-Q-D! C-Q-D!”
+
+“Some one out at sea is calling us in distress!” he cried loudly. The
+others, brim full of excitement, rose and crowded about him. But Frank
+waved them back.
+
+“No questions yet, please!” he said sharply, and then bent all his
+faculties to catching the voice out of the black night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.—“GOOD LUCK!”
+
+
+The silence in the hut was absolute as Frank bent low over his
+instruments. Even Pudge was subdued for once. There is something
+thrillingly dramatic to the most phlegmatic of temperaments in the idea
+of a wireless call for aid. Across unknown miles the message comes
+winging through the air—an appeal out of space.
+
+Of course, the others could not catch what was coming, for the whisper
+of the wireless waves sounds faint and shadowy even to one with the
+“phones” clasped to his ears. But Frank’s manner showed plainly enough
+that, whatever was winging its way to his organs of hearing, was
+exciting to the last degree.
+
+Suddenly the boy switched to his transmitting apparatus. With his helix
+he began attuning the length of his sparks, while the snake-like blue
+flame hissed and crackled across the “high-efficiency” spark gap. It
+looked like a living thing of lambent fire, as it writhed and screamed
+in response to the pressure on the key.
+
+“What’s wanted? Where are you?”
+
+This was the message that went speeding out on the air waves from the
+aërials above the hut.
+
+“This is the yacht _Wanderer_, from New York to Rocktown. We have struck
+a derelict and are leaking badly. Who are you?”
+
+“A station on Brig Island, about four miles at sea from Motthaven. Where
+are you?”
+
+The latter question was unanswered for the time being. Instead came
+another query:
+
+“Have you any means by which you can get to our assistance? We are in
+dire peril.”
+
+“We will try to aid you. But what is your position?”
+
+“Wait. I’ll look at the chart.”
+
+There came a pause, during which Frank rapidly detailed what he had
+heard to the eager group of listeners. But in the midst of it the
+unknown sender broke in once more.
+
+“We are about twenty miles to the southeast of you, on an almost
+straight course. Can keep afloat only a few hours longer. Can you get
+tug from the mainland?”
+
+“Impossible,” flashed back Frank, “but will do what we can. Are you at
+anchor?”
+
+“No, but the drift is very little. We are off soundings. Can you come to
+our aid?”
+
+Frank’s fingers pressed down on the key firmly. Rapidly he sent this
+message pulsating:
+
+“How many on board?”
+
+“Three. Owner, a friend and a hand.”
+
+“All right. Standby!”
+
+“Good-by, and hurry,” came out of the night, and then—silence.
+
+Frank disconnected his instruments and turned to the others. Rapidly he
+detailed the impending tragedy out there in the darkness.
+
+“Can’t we get to them in the motor boat?” demanded Harry breathlessly.
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+“Not in the time we have. They can’t keep afloat much longer, recollect.
+What can be done? Is there no way we can help them?”
+
+“Yes, there is.”
+
+The words came quietly but in a decided tone from Dr. Perkins. Frank was
+the first to guess the import of the speech.
+
+“The _Sea Eagle_!” he exclaimed excitedly.
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+“Yes. Here is our chance to test her in the service of humanity. She is
+ready for flight this instant.”
+
+“But in the darkness? How can we pick up this yacht?”
+
+“By the searchlight. Most likely the yacht has rockets. When she sees
+our searchlight she will send some up. That will give us her bearings.
+The general location of the craft we know.”
+
+“Are we all to go?” demanded Pudge.
+
+“Hardly,” rejoined his father, slipping into an overcoat, for the night
+was somewhat chilly, though the air was calm. “Frank and Harry, I need
+you two. You others await our return. Have hot coffee and food ready, as
+the survivors may be in need of nourishment.”
+
+“Aye, aye, sir,” responded Ben; “and now, sir, if I may give a bit of
+advice, lose no time in getting away. I’ve been in some sea disasters
+myself, and sometimes every second counts.”
+
+“You’re right, Stubbs,” ejaculated Dr. Perkins. “Boys, get the _Sea
+Eagle_ ready. I’ll bring along the searchlight.”
+
+While Frank and Harry hastened on their errand, Dr. Perkins got the
+searchlight out of its locker. It was a small but powerful one,
+constructed so as to fit into a socket on the _Sea Eagle’s_ “bow.” Its
+light was supplied from a small dynamo connected with the engine of the
+sea-and-air craft. By the time the doctor was ready the _Sea Eagle_ had
+been wheeled out of her shed, and Frank gave a sharp hail.
+
+“All ready, doctor!”
+
+“With you in a moment, my boy,” was the response, as the inventor
+hastened out into the darkness.
+
+The outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ loomed up gray and ghostly in the gloom.
+Only a tiny speck of light showed in her bow by the steering wheel,
+where a minute electric bulb shed light on the compass. This light was
+obtained from a storage battery of peculiarly light construction,
+connected with the dynamo before mentioned.
+
+The boys had clambered on board as soon as the airship had been wheeled
+out of its shed. They extended their hands to Dr. Perkins and helped him
+on board. The searchlight was put in place and its wires connected to
+the storage battery. A snap of a switch and a sharp pencil of light cut
+the night. The appliance worked to perfection.
+
+“Now, then,” said the doctor, as he took the wheel, “the less time we
+lose, the better. Frank, you had better apply the buoyancy apparatus, as
+we must make an abrupt rise to clear the trees.”
+
+“Why not launch from the runway?” inquired Frank; “wouldn’t that be
+quicker?”
+
+“That’s right. I think it would. Head the prow round for the rails.”
+
+Willing hands pushed the _Sea Eagle_ around, for on her ball-bearing
+supporting wheels she handled very easily, despite her great weight.
+
+Presently the craft was poised at the summit of the incline, ready for
+her rush downward.
+
+“Give her power!” cried the doctor.
+
+Frank seized the self-starting lever, and gave it a twirl. A pressure of
+his forefinger on the button followed, and almost simultaneously the
+motor began to thunder and roar.
+
+“Right here!” cried Frank.
+
+“All right. Hold tight. I’m going to apply full power.”
+
+Dr. Perkins jerked back the clutch lever as he spoke. There was a
+jarring shock, and then a downward rush through the night, the
+searchlight cutting a blazing white path through the blackness. Down,
+down they raced at terrific speed. Suddenly the jarring movement ceased.
+The _Sea Eagle_ appeared to glide upward as if drawn skyward by
+invisible ropes. As the craft left the rails, and began soaring to the
+stars that looked quietly down on the exciting scene, a sound was borne
+upward to the aërial voyagers.
+
+“Good-by.”
+
+And then an instant later in Ben’s stentorian tones:
+
+“So long, mates! Go-o-o-d luck!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.—THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Up and out into the night winged the great sea-and-air craft, the
+powerful motors working without a skip, and the propellers beating the
+air with a noise like the drone of a mastadonic bee—or more
+appropriately, night beetle. Above shone the stars, steady points of
+brightness in the dark blue canopy of heavens; below stretched the
+silent, empty sea, heaving gently. The air was calm and still, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ cleaved her way through it powerfully. Dr. Perkins set the
+course at due southeast, and kept a careful eye on the compass.
+
+“What speed are we making?” shouted Frank presently.
+
+The inventor glanced at the aërial speed meter, a device of his own
+invention.
+
+“Close to fifty,” he shouted back, for, owing to the roar of the engines
+and propellers, it was necessary to raise the voice in speaking to any
+one at a distance.
+
+“Then we should be in the vicinity in half an hour?”
+
+“Yes; that is unless——”
+
+But Dr. Perkins broke off abruptly. The _Sea Eagle_ had now attained a
+height of some five hundred feet, at which altitude he intended to keep
+the craft till they reached the vicinity of the disabled yacht.
+
+The cause of the sudden breaking off of his shouted remarks was this:
+Without the slightest warning the _Sea Eagle_ gave a sickening dip
+downward, and rushed toward the sea; or rather, to those in the falling
+ship, it seemed as if the sea was racing up devouringly toward them.
+
+“Gracious, what’s happened?” shouted Harry.
+
+But Frank was too busy with the engine to answer just then.
+
+“Power! Give me lots of power!” yelled Dr. Perkins.
+
+But although Frank instantly opened up the motor to its full capacity of
+two thousand revolutions a minute, the downward rush still continued.
+
+“The sea! We’ll be plunged into the sea!” cried Harry, in alarm,
+gripping a side support.
+
+Indeed there appeared to be good cause for his apprehension, for the
+_Sea Eagle_ was falling like a stone flung into space. All this, of
+course, took place in far less time than it takes to describe or to read
+it. In fact, hardly had Harry shouted his fears before the _Sea Eagle’s_
+“hull”—as we must call the hydroplane part of the craft—struck the
+water, and a huge cloud of spray flew high on either side.
+
+But instead of diving, the _Sea Eagle_ shot forward over the waves,
+gliding over their tops for some time before Frank shut off the motor.
+Even then such was the “shooting” velocity gained, that the _Sea Eagle_
+still continued to scoot along until the young engineer, in response to
+Dr. Perkins’ instructions, reversed her propellers, and thus brought the
+craft to a speedy standstill.
+
+“What on earth happened?” demanded Frank anxiously, as the _Sea Eagle_
+lay still, bobbing up and down on the gentle swell.
+
+“We struck an air pocket. An empty hole in space where there was no
+ether to support us,” explained Dr. Perkins.
+
+“Gracious; I thought we were goners,” cried Harry, still a little shaky
+over the fearful sensation of the fall.
+
+“Had the _Sea Eagle_ been of different construction we should have dived
+as straight to the bottom as a loon,” said the inventor, “but the
+spoonlike construction of the bow allowed me to handle her so that,
+instead of the impulse of the fall being downward, it was diverted into
+a forward movement along the surface.”
+
+“Shall we go up again?” asked Frank, after a hasty examination had been
+made to ascertain if anything had parted or snapped under the strain of
+the suddenly arrested tumble through the air pocket.
+
+“Yes. We had better lose as little time as possible,” was the rejoinder.
+“If you are ready, start the engine up, and we will try a flight from
+the surface of the water.”
+
+“You want full power?” asked Frank.
+
+“Yes; but start up gently at first, gradually increasing to top
+velocity. I think, however, that we shall leave the water at about 1,500
+revolutions a minute.”
+
+The next minute the roar of the newly started engine prevented further
+conversation. In order to develop every ounce of power of which the
+motor was capable Frank had opened the muffler cut-out, and the uproar
+was terrific. Spurts of greenish flame spouted from the exhausts, and
+the acrid smell of burning oil and gasolene filled the air. To any one
+less accustomed than the Boy Aviators to the uproar of aërial motors,
+the noise would have been alarming to say the least. They, however, were
+too much used to such scenes to pay any attention to it.
+
+Faster and faster the _Sea Eagle_ sped over the waves, till her keel
+barely touched the tips of the swells. Then suddenly the jerky motion
+ceased, and the craft, buoyed by its wings, began to soar upward in a
+steadily increasing gradient. Before ten minutes had passed they were
+once more on an even keel at a five-hundred-feet altitude, and bearing
+steadily for the southwest.
+
+Frank looked at his watch.
+
+“We ought to be getting pretty close to that yacht by now,” he remarked
+to Harry, who had seated himself at his side, and was assisting in
+attending to the lubrication and watching of the motor.
+
+“I’ll keep a sharp lookout,” rejoined Harry; “they surely ought to hear
+the noise of our motor and send up a rocket or wave lights, or
+something, if they are in the vicinity.
+
+“That’s just what I think. Keep your eyes open while I watch the
+engine.”
+
+Harry peered out into the night, but as far as he could see nothing
+appeared but the reflection of the stars in the water to relieve its
+blackness.
+
+“I can’t see anything yet,” he said, after a while.
+
+“Just keep on looking,” rejoined Frank; “there’s a chance that they may
+have drifted from the position they gave us.”
+
+“Well, in any case it would have been impossible for us to fly direct to
+the spot,” rejoined Harry; “this thing is a good deal like looking for a
+needle in a haystack, to my way of thinking.”
+
+“I’m not so sure of that. If they are anywhere within five or six miles
+they must hear the beat of our motor.”
+
+“Wonder why Dr. Perkins doesn’t switch on the searchlight. Hullo, there
+it goes now.”
+
+As Harry spoke, a fan-shaped ray of brilliant white light cut the night
+in front of the _Sea Eagle_, like a radiant sword. Hither and thither it
+swept over the dark sea; but it revealed nothing. All at once Dr.
+Perkins shut the searchlight off.
+
+“If they have seen it they will reply in some way,” he shouted in
+explanation to the boys. “Keep a bright lookout for an answer. I’ll keep
+the _Sea Eagle_ swinging in circles. We have been doing thirty miles an
+hour, and even allowing for the delay when we struck the air pocket we
+ought to be in the disabled yacht’s vicinity by this time.”
+
+As the searchlight was extinguished Harry peered out into the darkness
+with straining eyes. Suddenly he gave a shout and clutched Frank’s arm.
+
+“What’s that,” he shouted, “that light off there to the south?”
+
+“It’s a lantern,” cried Frank; “somebody’s waving it.”
+
+Dr. Perkins confirmed Frank’s supposition, and the _Sea Eagle_, on her
+errand of rescue, was headed for the swinging pin-point of light in the
+distance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.—A TWENTIETH-CENTURY RESCUE.
+
+
+As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress,
+Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight. Its comforting beam
+shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a
+strange sight. As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single
+point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves
+on a striking picture of distress at sea.
+
+Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene
+craft, apparently up to the rails in the water. At any rate nothing of
+the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of
+the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men. One of these
+had been swinging the lantern, but he ceased as the bright light from
+the _Sea Eagle_ bathed the group in its rays. One single mast arose high
+above the pitching hull, and from it could be seen wires strung down to
+the cabin top. Evidently this was the wireless apparatus which had been
+the means of bringing the Boy Aviators and their friend to the rescue.
+
+The yacht could not have been more than fifty feet in length—a very
+small craft to be equipped with wireless; but her owner, if he was on
+board, must have been congratulating himself at that very moment on his
+wise precaution.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the searchlight had first revealed the
+_Wanderer_ and her distressed company that the _Sea Eagle_ was swinging
+in a graceful, birdlike circle in the air above the sinking craft.
+
+Frank seized up a small megaphone, which formed part of the sea and sky
+ship’s equipment.
+
+“Ahoy! Aboard the yacht!” he cried.
+
+“Ahoy!” came back the cry, with a note of incredulous wonder in it, as
+well there might be, considering the extraordinary circumstances.
+
+“Are you the folks we talked with by wireless?” called Harry.
+
+“The very same,” was the shouted reply, “but who are you? Can you get us
+off this? The ship won’t last much longer.”
+
+“We’ll get you off all right,” exclaimed Frank comfortingly, and as he
+spoke Dr. Perkins allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide down to the surface
+of the waves, alighting on the water about five hundred feet from the
+castaways. He at once headed the _Sea Eagle_ round, and calling for
+reduced speed made for the sinking yacht.
+
+“Slow down! Stop her! Reverse!” he shouted in rapid succession, as they
+bore down.
+
+“On board the yacht!” hailed Frank, as they glided up alongside, “throw
+us a line.”
+
+The desired rope came snaking through the air, falling across the _Sea
+Eagle’s_ bow. Harry bounded forward and made it fast.
+
+“Now haul in,” ordered Dr. Perkins, as soon as the propellers had ceased
+to beat the air; “easy now; we don’t want to foul the wings.”
+
+His order was obeyed; and before long the _Sea Eagle’s_ bow was scraping
+the side of the _Wanderer_. Fortunately, the sea was smooth, or the
+maneuver would have been impossible of execution. As it was, however, on
+the easy swell that was running it was made with comparatively small
+difficulty.
+
+“Well, great Cæsar’s ghost!” blurted out a stout, blond man in yachting
+costume, who occupied, apparently, the position of owner of the yacht,
+“if this isn’t the twentieth century with a vengeance. Just think of it,
+Griggs—rescued by an aëroplane!”
+
+The man addressed, a good-natured-looking man, almost as corpulent as
+the first speaker, nodded appreciatively.
+
+“We don’t really know how to thank you folks,” continued the stout man;
+“we haven’t much longer to stay above water, as you see. We hit a
+derelict at dusk, and stove in our port bow. The water came rushing in
+so fast that I had barely time to flash that wireless that you so
+providentially caught.”
+
+“It was feeble enough, I can tell you,” Frank assured him; “fortunately,
+we were not far off, and so managed to catch your appeal for help.”
+
+The stout man was again warmly thanking his rescuers, when Dr. Perkins
+interrupted.
+
+“Suppose you come on board,” he said; “by the looks of your craft she is
+likely to take a plunge at any minute. I’d like to be able to cut loose
+from her before that happens.”
+
+Taking this hint, the stout man clambered on board the _Sea Eagle_ with
+more agility than might have been expected from a man of his heavy
+build. This done he extended a hand to his friend, and then came the
+turn of the third occupant of the cabin roof to disembark. This third
+man was evidently, from his costume, a paid hand on board the _Sea
+Eagle_. He was slight and dark and foreign looking, with beady black
+eyes, and a not over-prominent chin.
+
+Directly all were on board, Dr. Perkins ordered Frank to “cast off” from
+the sinking yacht. It was well this order was obeyed promptly, for
+hardly had the _Sea Eagle_ been disengaged from the other craft’s side,
+than the _Wanderer_ gave a sudden plunge, bow downward, under the waves.
+For one instant her stern upreared itself vertically, showing the rudder
+and propeller, and then, as if by magic, the whole craft vanished, to
+find a grave in the ocean bed.
+
+All this was seen by the searchlight, which Dr. Perkins had kept
+concentrated on the yacht while the last act of this ocean drama was
+being consummated. As the yacht vanished a deep sigh broke from the
+stout man.
+
+“Good-by, poor old _Wanderer_,” he said, “there’s an end of this
+cruise.”
+
+“I am sorry that she was not in a condition to tow to Brig Island,”
+remarked Dr. Perkins.
+
+“My dear sir, so far as the actual monetary loss is concerned it was
+fully covered by insurance,” responded the stout man; “my only regret is
+to see a craft I was very fond of end her days in such a fashion. Also,
+I am afraid my friend Griggs here will be disappointed at the failure of
+our cruise.”
+
+“Good heavens!” cried Mr. Griggs, who appeared to be a highly nervous
+individual, “I’m glad to have my life, Sterrett—glad to have my life. If
+I don’t catch my death of cold over this I’ll be fortunate indeed.”
+
+“In the meantime,” struck in the man addressed as Sterrett, “we are
+forgetting in our own troubles the debt of gratitude we owe to our
+friends here. In the first place, let me introduce ourselves. I am Paul
+Sterrett, late owner of the _Wanderer_. This is my friend, Samuel
+Griggs, and yonder,” indicating the foreign-looking third man, “is
+Francis Le Blanc, our cook and general handy man. We left New York on a
+cruise up the coast sometime ago, and up till to-night experienced no
+mishaps. However, as my friend says, we must not repine; we should
+consider ourselves fortunate indeed to be onboard your remarkable craft
+instead of being in a watery grave, as we must have been had it not been
+for your opportune arrival.”
+
+“We consider ourselves fortunate to have been of service to you,”
+responded the inventor, and then went on in his turn to introduce
+himself and his party, and also give a brief explanation of the _Sea
+Eagle_, which had, as may be imagined, excited the liveliest curiosity
+on the part of the rescued castaways.
+
+“But as we shall now get under way without further loss of time,” he
+concluded, “you will be able to see for yourselves just how the _Sea
+Eagle_ is controlled, and what she can do.”
+
+As he finished this speech, Dr. Perkins extinguished the searchlight,
+which had still been playing on the oil-streaked waters which marked the
+burial spot of the ill-fated _Wanderer_. This done, he gave Frank the
+“come ahead” signal. Obediently, as usual, the motor began its song, and
+the propellers took up the whirring, buzzing refrain. Mr. Sterrett and
+his companions sat perfectly still in the positions in the stern which
+had been assigned to them. Had it been light enough to read the
+expressions on their faces one would have said that they were absolutely
+dumbfounded.
+
+Of course both Mr. Sterrett and his friends—as well informed men—knew
+the wonderful capabilities of the modern aëroplane. They had witnessed
+many flights, and in common with the generality of progressive
+Americans, knew the general principles of aërial locomotion. But when
+the _Sea Eagle_ from a “boat” turned suddenly into a hydroplane, they
+exchanged swift expressions of the utmost astonishment. Only their
+companion, the paid “hand” from the yacht, sat sullenly unimpressed. In
+fact, since he had boarded the _Sea Eagle_, he had not uttered a
+syllable, only mumbling his thanks when Mr. Sterrett and his companion
+had finished expressing their gratitude for their rescue.
+
+Under the skillful guidance of Dr. Perkins, and the constant attention
+that Frank paid to the whirring motor, the _Sea Eagle_ made a quick run
+back to the island, being guided, when she was still some distance away,
+by the ruddy glare of a big beacon fire lighted by Ben Stubbs. It was an
+instance of the veteran adventurer’s thoughtfulness and resource that he
+had thought of doing this, for in the hurry of the departure, no such
+instructions had been given him. But on his own responsibility he had
+kindled the blaze which materially aided the swift return of the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her eyrie.
+
+Reaching the island, the aërial wonder was sent swinging in decreasing
+circles, till Dr. Perkins was sure of a safe drop to the workshop on the
+summit of the little spot of land, and then, with a breath-catching
+rapidity, the helmsman sent his wonderful vessel earthward, bringing it
+to a stop within the ruddy glow caused by the blazing bonfire which had
+guided them.
+
+As the _Sea Eagle_ settled to the earth the party that had been left
+behind on the adventurous night flight pressed to the side of the novel
+craft. A glance showed them that the mission of Dr. Perkins’ craft had
+been crowned with success, and Billy and Pudge began plying the returned
+voyagers with eager questions. Ben Stubbs was slightly in the
+background, and it was not till Mr. Sterrett and his companions had
+stepped out on to the ground that he got a good look at them.
+
+When he did, he gave a deep-drawn gasp of surprise. An expression of
+supreme amazement overspread his weather-beaten countenance. But his
+eyes did not fix on Mr. Sterrett or his companion, Griggs. Instead they
+traveled beyond the nattily clad yachtsmen and rested on the slim figure
+of the paid “hand.”
+
+“Raoul Duval, as sure as there’s a north star!” choked out Ben, half to
+himself, “waal, if this ain’t a small bit of a world!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.—BEN’S PLAN STOLEN.
+
+
+For his part Duval was no less quick in recognizing Ben Stubbs. At the
+moment, Dr. Perkins and the rest were standing in a group a little
+apart, and discussing their adventure, while Mr. Sterrett was loud in
+his praises of the _Sea Eagle_, which he described as the most wonderful
+craft on earth. Giving a swift look round to see that he was unobserved,
+Duval pressed a finger to his lips to enjoin silence on Ben, and then
+beckoned him to come a short distance out of the firelight.
+
+Ben, in wonderment as to this unexpected reappearance of the young man
+who had exercised such sharp practice on him, obeyed the summons. But
+when he addressed Duval it was in an angry tone.
+
+“What’s this mean,” he exclaimed, “how did you come here?”
+
+“As you see, by that air ship,” was the reply; “I never expected to see
+you here, however. I tell you, Stubbs, I’ve had a lot of hard luck. When
+those boys and that professor-chap rescued us I had been compelled to
+ship as a deckhand and cook on that yacht. Just think of it.”
+
+“A mighty good thing for you, say I,” grunted Ben brusquely, “a little
+good, honest, hard work will take some of the crooked kinks out of your
+brain. My recommendation to you, Duval, is to stick to that sort of a
+job, and in time you’ll learn to be a man.”
+
+Duval shot a look full of malice at the blunt old fellow. But his face
+was in the shadow, and Ben did not notice it. Instead he continued:
+
+“But I ain’t the one to bear a grudge, Duval, although you did come
+mighty near shipwrecking my faith in human natur’. Shake hands, mate,
+and for your old father’s sake I’ll do what I can fer you. I ain’t one
+to kick a man when he’s down.”
+
+Duval extended his thin, long-fingered hand, and Ben seized it in his
+rough paw and shook it with a heartiness that made the dark-skinned
+Duval flinch.
+
+“There!” exclaimed the old fellow heartily, as he relinquished his grip,
+“that’s all ship-shape and in good trim. Now let’s get back to the rest
+of ’em afore they see us talking apart.”
+
+“You’re not going to give me away to them?” asked Duval, almost
+breathlessly. “Sterrett thinks I’m all right, and may give me a better
+job some time.”
+
+“I won’t stand in your way, lad,” heartily rejoined Ben. “In fact, I’d
+like to help you get on your feet again.”
+
+“How about that plan of the location of the _Belle of New Orleans_?”
+asked Duval, without paying any attention to Ben’s last remarks.
+
+“Safe enough in my pocket, mate,” replied Ben, tapping his worn coat;
+“why do you want to know?”
+
+“I wondered if you had investigated my story.”
+
+“No, I haven’t yet; but I don’t mind telling you that I may do so before
+very long. And I’ll tell you right now, Duval, that if we recover
+anything valuable from that wreck I’ll see to it that you get a good
+share of it, and then you can set up in business again and make a new
+start.”
+
+Duval expressed what appeared to be very deep thanks for Ben’s
+generosity. But, in reality, his thoughts were busy elsewhere. An idea
+had come into his head that was to bear strange fruit before very long.
+They joined the group clustered about Dr. Perkins without their absence
+having been noticed. Billy and Pudge had seen to it while the _Sea
+Eagle_ was on her mission of rescue that a good hot lunch should be
+ready on the return of the expedition. A few moments after Ben and Duval
+joined the others Pudge announced this fact, and the party trooped into
+the hut, nothing loath, to fall to with hearty appetites on a good meal.
+Soon after they “turned in,” the boys insisting on the strangers taking
+their bunks, while they and Ben Stubbs put up with “shake-downs” on the
+floor.
+
+It was very late—or rather early morning—when they retired, and before
+long all were wrapped in the deep sleep of exhaustion. Ben was the first
+to awaken, to find the sun streaming into the hut.
+
+“Great guns!” he exclaimed, glancing at Billy’s alarm clock on a shelf,
+“it’s after seven.”
+
+Broad awake in a jiffy, he aroused the others, going from the floor
+sleepers to the bunks. Dr. Perkins, Mr. Sterrett and the latter’s friend
+were awakened in turn, and it was not till then that Ben noticed that
+Duval’s bunk was empty.
+
+“Good fer him,” he said to himself warmly, “the young chap has started
+to turn over a new leaf by gittin’ out early. I’ll take a turn outside
+afore breakfast and see if I can find him.”
+
+But Duval was not about the workshop, nor did Ben’s calls summon him to
+breakfast. It was not till that instant that an ugly suspicion flashed
+into Ben’s hitherto unsuspecting mind. Without saying a word to the
+others he hastily drew out his wallet and, withdrawing to a corner of
+the hut, examined its contents. Instantly his suspicions were verified.
+
+The plan of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_ was
+missing!
+
+Stifling his anger as well as he could, Ben hastened to the beach. As he
+had suspected the moment he found the plan missing, the small skiff was
+gone. What had happened was as plain as print to Ben now. Young Duval
+had waited till all in the hut were asleep, then he had stealthily crept
+from his bunk, recovered the plan he had given to Ben, and had decamped
+in the small boat.
+
+“Waal, the dern scallywag!” burst out Ben, as he stood on the beach in
+the first shock of his discovery.
+
+In his anger he shook his fist at the strip of sea between the island
+and the mainland to which, he did not doubt, Duval had crossed in his
+flight.
+
+“The—the—precious scamp!” he continued, his bronzed features working,
+“and I trusted him as I would have trusted his dad.”
+
+Shaking his head, Ben slowly made his way from the beach back to the
+hut. He said nothing of his discovery during breakfast, but after the
+meal he found a pretext for drawing Dr. Perkins to one side. To him he
+communicated what had occurred.
+
+“A good riddance of bad rubbish,” said Dr. Perkins when Ben, whose voice
+shook with anger, had concluded his story; “we are cheaply rid of him,
+Ben.”
+
+The inventor, while not a selfish man, was so wrapped up in the success
+of the _Sea Eagle_ that, to him, the loss of the plan of the wreck did
+not appeal in the same way that it did to Ben Stubbs. But the old
+adventurer took him up indignantly.
+
+“Bad rubbish, as you say, sir,” he grated out, “but if that paper hadn’t
+bin worth something Duval wouldn’t have taken it. It’s good-by to
+recovering that stuff from the _Belle of New Orleans_ now.”
+
+“By Jove! I’d quite forgotten my promise to you,” said Dr. Perkins
+contritely; “but never fear, Ben, I’ll see that you are not a loser.”
+
+“It ain’t that,” rejoined Ben; “I don’t give a snap for the plan; but
+it’s the ingratitood of that young whippersnapper that’s got me sore.
+I’d like—I’d like to find that wreck just to get ahead of him.”
+
+“Humph!” rejoined the inventor, “I understand your feelings. He has
+certainly treated you very badly. But possibly we can think up some way
+to outgeneral him.”
+
+“Don’t see how we are goin’ to do it without that plan,” rejoined Ben;
+“but I ain’t one to cry over spilt milk. It’s gone, and that’s all there
+is to it. The best thing to do is to forget it.”
+
+Frank and Harry, on their way to the _Sea Eagle’s_ shelter, were passing
+at the moment. After asking the inventor if he thought it would be
+advisable, and receiving an affirmative reply, Ben called them over. As
+briefly as he could he told them what had happened.
+
+“Well, the precious rascal!” broke out Frank; “I thought there was
+something snaky-looking about the chap last night. Isn’t there a chance
+of catching him?”
+
+“Not such a slick rascal as he is, Frank,” rejoined Ben despondently;
+“no, the plan is gone, and gone for good—so good-by to that.”
+
+But Harry now spoke up, and to the astonishment of the others his voice
+did not hold a trace of the disappointment they could not help but feel.
+
+“Cheer up, Ben,” he said heartily, “and by the way you might just cast
+your eye over this and see if it looks familiar.”
+
+As he spoke he dipped a hand into his breast pocket and produced a
+folded paper. Ben, with a mystified expression, took it and opened the
+thing up. The next instant it almost fell from his hands.
+
+“Why!—why, by the glittering Pole Star!” he choked out, “it’s the plan
+itself!”
+
+“Not exactly,” laughed Harry, “but I think it’s a pretty good copy. You
+see I always liked drawing and that sort of thing, so when you showed me
+that plan I memorized it, and when I got a chance I sketched out this
+copy in case anything happened to the original. I think it’s good enough
+to take a chance on.”
+
+“Good enough!” roared Ben, “why, lad, it’s the plan itself. Now, then,
+if we don’t beat Master Duval to the _Belle of New Orleans_ call me a
+double-decked, lee-scuppered sea cook!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.—WHAT HAPPENED ASHORE.
+
+
+As Ben had surmised, Duval had waited till the boys and their friends
+were sound asleep, and had then, in accordance with a plan he had
+thought of the instant he set eyes on his kind-hearted friend, sneaked
+out of his bunk and, tip-toeing softly to Ben’s clothes, located the
+wallet and with small trouble or loss of time abstracted the plan of the
+lost wreck. During the evening the ingrate had heard a description of
+the island given to Mr. Sterrett by Dr. Perkins, so that after taking
+the plan he left the hut and made for the beach by the path through the
+woods.
+
+Shoving off the skiff, he had taken up the oars and started rowing as
+fast as he could for the mainland. But what with the darkness and his
+unfamiliarity with that part of the coast, he had failed to land in the
+cove adjoining the fisher village of Motthaven, and had beached his
+craft a considerable distance to the south of the place. It was just
+growing light when the bow of the skiff grated on the sand, and Duval
+hastily scrambled out and started off. His object was to find a railroad
+station and travel as far as his scant supply of money would take him
+from the vicinity of Brig Island.
+
+After that his plans were still vague; but he had an indefinite idea of
+getting to New York or some large town, and interesting anybody with
+capital to finance an expedition for the recovery of the gold dust chest
+and the bag of black pearls that lay at the bottom of the Black Bayou
+amid the moldering timbers of the lost steamer. The utter depravity and
+black-heartedness of this plan, and his base ingratitude to the man who
+had aided him in every way, did not strike him. Instead, there was but
+one over-mastering thought in his mind, and that was to secure whatever
+treasure might be in the wreck as quickly as possible, and then vanish
+from America for some foreign country with his ill-gotten wealth.
+
+Busy with such thoughts as these, he hastened up the beach in the gray
+of the dawn, and finding a rough sort of path leading up the low cliff
+that overhung the beach, he started to ascend it. He had not gone more
+than a few paces, however, before he saw, buried back in some trees, a
+rough-looking hut.
+
+Duval was hungry and thirsty, and, moreover, his long row, at such a
+feverish pace, had exhausted him. Determining to tell a story that would
+account for his presence in that isolated part of the coast at such an
+early hour, he made up his mind to apply at the hut for some
+refreshment. His story was to be that he had set off on a fishing
+expedition and had lost his way and been wandering all night.
+
+“Probably only some fool fisherman lives there who will believe anything
+I choose to tell him,” he thought; “these fellows are all as thick as
+mud, anyhow.”
+
+Musing to himself in this fashion, the renegade fellow made his way
+toward the hut and, coming to the door, knocked loudly on it. But there
+was no answer, and when, after repeated knockings, he could elicit no
+response, Duval determined that, as there appeared to be nobody at home,
+he would walk in uninvited and see what he could “forage” for himself.
+
+The door was unlocked; in fact, it had no latch and hung crazily on its
+rusty hinges. Opening it, Duval found himself in an interior as rough
+and uncouth as the outside of the hut had promised. A table made of old
+planks, seemingly flotsam from the beach, two soap boxes for chairs, and
+a rough sort of bunk, or rather shelf, littered with a pile of dirty old
+blankets, made up the furnishings. On the table were the remains of a
+meal, which had consisted apparently of roasted lobsters and fish. Two
+tin cups and tin plates, with battered knives and forks beside them,
+completed the table service.
+
+“Confound it all,” muttered Duval, “whoever lives here is as poor as a
+church mouse. Some miserable fisherman, I suppose, who has hardly enough
+to keep body and soul together.”
+
+He walked to a corner of the shack where there was a sort of cupboard
+contrived out of old boxes. He had guessed that this formed the pantry
+of the establishment. Sure enough, in it he found a loaf half consumed,
+and the remains of a roasted lobster, as well as some scraps of fish. He
+was too hungry to be particular and was just about to start eating when
+a quick step behind him caused him to start violently, dropping the food
+he had in his hand.
+
+But before he could utter a word the young man—or, rather, loutish
+boy—who had entered so quietly, owing to his being barefooted, stepped
+up to him and, raising a heavy oar he carried, dealt the intruder a blow
+that deprived him of his senses for the time being.
+
+As Duval fell to the floor a man in rough fisherman’s garb, with a
+wrinkled, mahogany-tinged face and a tuft of gray whisker on his
+prominent chin, entered.
+
+“Why, Zeb, what’s up?” he exclaimed, in an astonished voice.
+
+“I found this feller snoopin’ about in here, pop,” was the rejoinder,
+“an’ I calkelated ter lay him out till we could find out what his
+business was.”
+
+“Good ernuff, boy,” responded the elder Daniels, for most of our readers
+must be aware by this time of the identity of the two newcomers; “but
+who do yer suppose he is? He’s dressed like one of them fancy sailors
+off’n a yacht.”
+
+“Dad, I figger he’s a detective sent here by them kids on Brig Island.
+That’s the way it looks to me.”
+
+“I guess you’re right, Zeb. Here, give me a hand to get him up on the
+bunk. By hickory, but you must have hit him a clip.”
+
+“Reckon I did land kind er hard on him, dad, but I wasn’t takin’ chances
+of his turning on me.”
+
+The two worthies lifted Duval’s limp form and laid it, not over-gently,
+on the tumbled pile of frowsy blankets. This done, a sudden thought
+struck the elder Daniels.
+
+“Calkerlate I’ll take a look through his pockets,” he said; “might
+rummage out something worth havin’.”
+
+Zeb helped his father in this task; but aside from a small sum of money,
+and a collection of worthless odds and ends, they found nothing that
+appeared to them to be of importance. In an inner pocket Zeb came across
+the stolen map. Much mystified, he showed it to his father.
+
+“What do you think this kin be, pop?” he inquired.
+
+The old man took it and knitted his brow over the document in a puzzled
+fashion.
+
+“By hickory, I kain’t make it out,” he confessed; “thar’s some riting in
+ther corner, though. Spell it out, Zeb.”
+
+Zeb, obediently, but somewhat laboriously, read out:
+
+“‘Map of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_.’
+That’s what it says; but what does it mean?”
+
+“That’s plain enough, ain’t it?” retorted the old man. “It’s a map of
+some wreck or other, but what does this feller want with it? That’s the
+question.”
+
+“Better ask him. He’s opening his eyes and coming to.”
+
+Sure enough Duval stirred uneasily, and threw up his hand as if to ward
+off a blow.
+
+“Don’t hit me, Frank Chester,” he cried out; “I’ll give back the plan I
+stole.”
+
+“Oh-ho! That’s the way the wind blows, is it?” muttered the elder
+Daniels, and then, addressing Duval, who was now staring wildly about
+him, he said:
+
+“So you come from Brig Island, eh, my hearty?”
+
+“Yes; but how did I get here? Oh, I remember now. I was looking for food
+and somebody struck me.”
+
+“That was me, I reckon,” grinned Zeb, “who are you, anyhow? Did those
+kids on Brig Island send you here after us?”
+
+What with the effects of his blow, and his alarm at his position, Duval
+lost his customary caution.
+
+“I’m no friend of anybody on Brig Island,” he exclaimed, “but what do
+you know about that place, anyhow?”
+
+“A whole lot,” grimly rejoined the elder Daniels; “now, see here, my
+lad, you’d best make a clean breast of it. How did you come by this
+plan?”
+
+The old fisherman, who was pretty keen-minded, had guessed by Duval’s
+guilty manner that there was some mystery connected with the document
+which he now flourished.
+
+Duval sat up on the bunk and pleaded for the return of the plan; but to
+no avail.
+
+“I’m smart enough to see through a wall when there’s a hole in it,” said
+old Daniels; “now, see here, I reckon you ain’t no friend of them kids
+on the island?”
+
+Duval shook his head. He had, of course, no reason to dislike the boys;
+but he was an arrant coward at heart, and saw that the men in whose
+power he was, hated the young dwellers on Brig Island. He therefore
+thought it good policy to affect to be of their way of thinking.
+
+“I’m no friend of theirs,” he said, rather sullenly, “but what’s that to
+you?”
+
+“May be a whole lot, if this plan is what I think it is. Now I’ve a
+pretty good idea that you come by it in no very honest way. Ain’t that
+so?”
+
+“I—I was given it,” stammered Duval uneasily, while Zenas’ little
+gimlet-like gray eyes bored him through.
+
+“That’s a lie,” rejoined Daniels easily; “come on, out with the truth,
+now. It won’t do you no harm, and may keep you from the constables.”
+
+This was a shrewd move on Daniels’ part. Duval’s eyes dilated with fear
+at the idea of coming within the reach of the law. Without more ado he
+blurted out part of the story of the lost _Belle of New Orleans_, and
+offered to let Zenas share in the prize if he should locate it. While
+Duval was talking the elder Daniels had leaned forward, consumed with
+interest. Avaricious to a degree, the thought of the sunken treasure
+made him fairly burn with desire to gain it.
+
+“You’re sure that was a true story that feller give you?” he asked, as
+Duval concluded his story.
+
+“I’m certain of it. I know for a fact that my father had a lot of gold
+dust and those black pearls with him on his last voyage, for he had
+written home about the fortune that he was bringing.”
+
+“Humph! Waal, your story sounds all right, and I don’t know but what
+you’ve come to the right shop to get some one to help you get at the
+wreck. I’ve got a diving outfit and a little money, and I kin raise some
+more. Now sit down and Zeb will get you a bite to eat, and we’ll talk
+things over.”
+
+And thus was begun an alliance which was to prove a source of much
+trouble to the Boy Aviators and their friends in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.—OFF ON THE “AIR ROUTE.”
+
+
+In the meantime indignation was at white heat on Brig Island. Mr.
+Sterrett was for advertising the disappearance of Duval, and offering a
+reward for his apprehension. He confessed that he had not liked the
+man’s looks, but had shipped him as help was hard to get at the time.
+Dr. Perkins agreed that it might not be a bad idea to communicate at
+once with the authorities and try to have the rascal captured.
+
+“But,” he added, “I am afraid he is too clever a scamp to fall into the
+clutches of the law very easily.”
+
+“I am of that opinion, too,” frankly admitted Mr. Sterrett, “but it will
+do no harm to do all we can to place him where he belongs.”
+
+To get ashore Frank had first to swim off to the motor boat, for the
+skiff, as we know, had vanished. He then ran the engine-driven craft in
+alongside some rocks that sloped down into deep water, and from that
+elevation the party embarked. A quick run was made to Motthaven, from
+whence a description of Duval was wired to the metropolitan police, and
+the local authorities urged out of their usual lethargy by promises of a
+reward if Duval was found. Late that afternoon the search yielded
+results in the finding of the abandoned skiff, and the discovery of the
+hut in which the Daniels had been living since the boys had instituted
+proceedings against them.
+
+Some evidences of a hasty departure were found, but no clews that would
+give any idea of whither the fugitives had proceeded. In fact it was
+only by piecing together some scraps of torn paper that it was
+discovered that the hut had been used by the Daniels as a refuge.
+
+“Well,” said Dr. Perkins that evening, after they had bidden good-by to
+Mr. Sterrett and his friend, who had returned to New York, “well, in my
+opinion the less time we lose in getting to Black Bayou the better it
+will be, for, to my mind, there is little doubt that Duval means to
+forestall our friend, Ben Stubbs, in ransacking the wreck.”
+
+The others agreed that this seemed highly probable, and Dr. Perkins made
+immediate arrangements for a caretaker to occupy quarters on Brig Island
+during their absence. This done, a return was made to the little
+settlement, and the next day final preparations were made for the
+adventurous trip through the air. The _Sea Eagle_ was provisioned, and a
+light wireless apparatus installed, the stay wires being used as
+aërials. Of course the instruments were not so strong as those used at
+the shore station, but it was calculated that they had a capacity of
+about twenty miles over land, and forty above the sea, depending, of
+course, a good deal on the wave adjustment and the weather conditions.
+
+Twenty-four hours after the adventurers had started work on the _Sea
+Eagle_, the craft was ready for her dash. Ben Stubbs, Pudge Perkins and
+Billy Barnes were to go to New Orleans, there to await the arrival of
+the party. Their departure took place amid regretful wails from Pudge,
+who loudly declaimed:
+
+“Aërials and ant-hills! I don’t see why we can’t go by the _Sea Eagle_.”
+
+But Dr. Perkins’ word was law and he had decided that the fewer persons
+who took part in the test the better the chance of success would be, and
+as Frank and Harry were both experienced aviators he placed great
+reliance in their aid. The morning after the departure of the New
+Orleans-bound passengers the caretaker and his family arrived. They were
+honest folk from the shore, who could be trusted to look after the many
+valuable devices on the island, and keep curiosity seekers off till the
+party returned. For Dr. Perkins had decided to use Brig Island as a
+permanent workshop, and expected, if the _Sea Eagle_ proved a success,
+to build many craft like her and dispose of them at good prices. The
+working of the electric fence was explained to the caretaker; but he
+declared:
+
+“I reckon my old gun will do more to keep undesirables off than any of
+them electric didoes.”
+
+There was now nothing more to do, the caretaker being duly installed,
+but to take to the air, in what was, at that date, the most unique
+aërial craft in existence. For the voyage, beside the provisions and
+extra fuel and oil, life belts had been provided, and not a detail had
+been overlooked. It was seven o’clock on a fine, breathless morning when
+Dr. Perkins gave the order, “Start up the engines!”
+
+A thrill shot through both Frank and Harry at the words. Experienced in
+aërial adventure as were both boys, they could not but feel that they
+were embarking on the most adventurous undertaking of their lives.
+
+“We’re off!” cried Harry, as a quiver ran through the craft, and the
+motor roared from its exhausts, emitting clouds of mingled flame and
+blue smoke.
+
+“Yes; off on a fight for fame and fortune!” cried Frank, as Dr. Perkins
+threw in the clutch; and, with her propellers beating the air so rapidly
+that they were a mere blur, the _Sea Eagle_ shot skyward.
+
+In half an hour’s time, to the watchers on the island, the aërial craft
+had dwindled to a mere dot in the distant sky, and five minutes later
+she vanished from view. The boys gave many backward looks as they winged
+away from Brig Island. Despite their adventures, they had spent many
+pleasant days there, and it appeared to them to be almost a second home.
+Of all that they were to experience before returning to the island they
+little dreamed at the moment, but their hearts beat high with exultation
+as the _Sea Eagle_ winged her way southward at forty miles an hour, and
+about five hundred feet above the ocean.
+
+They had been in the air about an hour when they encountered a situation
+which may become common enough before many years have passed, but which
+was an exciting novelty to them. Off on the horizon a liner was sighted,
+steaming toward the American coast. Before long they made her out to be
+a big, two-funneled craft, painted black, and with numerous decks rising
+above her shapely hull.
+
+“One of the transatlantic liners that make Portland their terminal,”
+decided Dr. Perkins.
+
+“Shall I wireless them?” said Harry.
+
+“Yes, do so. It will be an interesting experiment, and besides will show
+how the apparatus will work.”
+
+Harry lost no time in getting to work. After a brief interval he
+“raised” the operator on the liner, Dr. Perkins keeping the _Sea Eagle_
+swinging in big, lazy circles while he did so.
+
+“We sighted you from the bridge half an hour ago,” flashed the operator,
+“who and what are you?”
+
+“The hydro-aëroplane _Sea Eagle_, bound from Maine for New Orleans. Who
+are you?” flashed back Harry.
+
+“The _Ultonia_, of the Portland and Liverpool line, eight days out from
+England,” was the rejoinder; “have you got any American newspapers on
+board?”
+
+Now it happened that Dr. Perkins had brought some papers of the day
+before along in his pockets, and at Harry’s request he handed them to
+him.
+
+“What are you going to do?” asked Frank.
+
+“I was going to suggest that we dive across the _Ultonia_ and deliver
+the papers,” said Harry; “can we do it, doctor?”
+
+“By all means,” rejoined Dr. Perkins, deeply interested; “flash them a
+message of what we intend to do so that they may be prepared.”
+
+Harry sent out the message and the operator flashed back a quick
+“Thanks,” adding the next moment: “Good-by. I’m going to beat it out on
+deck and watch you.”
+
+Frank, in the meantime, had done the papers up in a compact bundle and
+weighted them with an empty beef can.
+
+“All ready?” cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+“All ready, sir,” was the prompt reply from the boys.
+
+“Then hold tight. I’m going to make a swift dive.”
+
+The liner was now almost directly underneath the soaring _Sea Eagle_.
+Her rails were black with passengers craning their necks upward at the
+great, man-made bird. From her funnels poured clouds of inky smoke,
+while her sharp prow cut the water on each side of her bow into
+sparkling foam. On the bridge were uniformed officers, pointing
+binoculars and spy glasses aloft, for the operator had communicated the
+news of what the _Sea Eagle_ was about to do.
+
+Suddenly the watching throngs of ocean travelers saw the _Sea Eagle_
+poise in air like a hawk about to pounce. Then down she came, cleaving
+the air like a falling stone.
+
+A great cry went up from the packed decks. It seemed as if the air craft
+must perish, that nothing could check her fall, and that she was doomed
+to plunge headlong into the sea. But in a flash the cry changed to a
+mighty cheer.
+
+Less than forty feet from the water the _Sea Eagle_ was seen to shoot
+upward and straight toward the steamer. Like an arrow from a bow the
+great aërial craft shot whizzing above the liner’s bridge, and under the
+wireless aërials extending from mast to mast. Just as she roared by
+above the officers’ heads, like some antedeluvian thunder-lizard,
+something was seen to fall downward and land on the top of the
+charthouse. It was the bundle of papers thrown by Harry. A sailor
+scrambled up and got them, while the crowded decks yelled themselves
+hoarse.
+
+Then the _Sea Eagle_ soared up high above the mast tips, and Harry
+seated himself at the wireless once more. Presently to his ears came a
+message from the speeding liner far below.
+
+“Captain Seabury wishes to congratulate you on the most wonderful feat
+of the century.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.—AN AËRIAL AMBULANCE.
+
+
+Harry was about to flash back an answer to the message of congratulation
+when, suddenly, into the scene of triumph was injected a grim note of
+threatened tragedy. One of the passengers, a young woman who had been
+leaning far out over the rail of the boat deck waving a handkerchief of
+filmy lace and linen, was seen, all at once, to topple from her perch.
+
+The next instant, and while her shrill scream for help still rent the
+air, a young man who had been standing beside her jumped out into space
+without waiting to do more than strip off coat and shoes. The _Ultonia_
+was speeding ahead at the fastest gait her twin screws were capable of.
+She was a large vessel, probably some 15,000 tons of registration, and
+her momentum was too great to stop her for a considerable distance.
+
+From the _Sea Eagle_ horrified eyes saw the accident, and witnessed the
+young woman’s head bob up for an instant amid the frothy wake of the big
+craft. The liner’s whistle screamed out a shrill alarm, and men could be
+seen scampering to lower a boat, while life buoys were thrown overboard.
+
+But before anything more could be done the _Sea Eagle_ took a sudden
+swoop, a swift dive downward, characteristic of the bird for which she
+had been named.
+
+The wonderful craft struck the water with a force that sent a cloud of
+spray boiling up about her, temporarily hiding her substructure and her
+occupants from view.
+
+“She’s sunk!” went up a moaning cry from the decks of the liner. But,
+no! An instant later it was seen that the _Sea Eagle_, an aëroplane no
+longer but a winged boat, was speeding as fast as her twin propellers
+could drive her toward the spot where the young woman had last been
+seen.
+
+Hardly a word, except Dr. Perkins’ caution to “hang on tight,” had been
+exchanged between the aviators from their simultaneous observation of
+the accident till the moment the _Sea Eagle_ struck the water. But now
+orders came quick and fast.
+
+“Attend to the engines!”
+
+The order came from Frank, and Harry sprang into the place his brother
+vacated.
+
+Frank hastily buckled on one of the life jackets and then, as the _Sea
+Eagle_ skimmed the water at a twenty-five knot gait, he scanned the
+seething lane of foam behind the liner. Suddenly he saw what he was
+looking for. A white, imploring face, crowned with a wealth of golden
+hair.
+
+“Save me!” screamed the girl who, although she had been swimming, was by
+this time too exhausted with the effects of her immersion and the weight
+of her water-soaked clothes, to keep up any longer. Without an instant’s
+hesitation, Frank leaped into the water and began striking out with
+powerful strokes for the sinking girl. He reached her side just as she
+was going down for the third time.
+
+[Illustration: WITHOUT AN INSTANT’S HESITATION, FRANK LEAPED INTO THE
+WATER.]
+
+In the meantime the young man who had sprung after her had also become
+exhausted, and would certainly have sunk had not Dr. Perkins headed the
+_Sea Eagle_ in his direction. Leaning far out as they came alongside the
+struggling man, Harry grasped him by the collar, and then half dragged
+him into the hydroplane portion of the air craft. This done, full speed
+was made for Frank and the young woman.
+
+None too soon did they reach Frank’s side. With the blind instinct of a
+drowning person the young woman was clinging so tightly to Frank that,
+strong swimmer though he was, he had much difficulty in keeping above
+the water. Dr. Perkins ordered the motor stopped as they neared the two,
+and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide up to them. Then both he and Harry
+bent all their strength to hauling on board, first the young woman and
+then Frank.
+
+By this time the liner’s speed had been checked, and her officers were
+swinging her in a broad circle to the scene of the accident. A boat had
+been lowered and was heading for the _Sea Eagle_, but Dr. Perkins,
+snatching up the megaphone, hailed the oarsman and told them that
+everything was all right.
+
+This done, power was applied once more, and the _Sea Eagle_ headed for
+the liner’s side. As if guessing his intention a gangway had been
+lowered, and all was ready for their reception as they came alongside.
+In the meantime the young man had introduced the golden-haired young
+woman as his bride, and himself as Stanley Travers, of Portland, Me. To
+say that both he and Mrs. Travers were grateful would be not to state
+one half of their actual feelings.
+
+In fact, their expressions of appreciation took so long that one of the
+officers at the head of the gangway shouted:
+
+“This is a mail boat and we must hurry, please.”
+
+While this was going on congratulations on the plucky act had been
+shouted down from the uniformed skipper on the bridge and from a score
+of the passengers that banked the rails three and four deep.
+
+At last Mr. and Mrs. Travers, wet to the skin, clambered up the liner’s
+tall, black side, and the boat was hauled up on the davits. As the big
+craft, dipping her ensign and blowing her siren, heaved ahead, a shout
+of enthusiasm went up. But it was drowned by the roar of the _Sea
+Eagle’s_ motor. Hardly had the propellers of the vessel begun to churn
+the water once more before Dr. Perkins’ craft rose from the water like a
+white-winged sea gull after a refreshing dip. As the gallant sea-and-air
+ship rose, her three occupants waved their hands in farewell in
+rejoinder to the babel of shouts beneath them.
+
+“Well, at any rate, if the _Sea Eagle_ never does anything more,”
+remarked Dr. Perkins, “she has accomplished a great deal.”
+
+“I should think so,” exclaimed Frank, who had slipped into dry clothes
+as soon as the _Sea_ _Eagle_ took the air once more; “it isn’t every
+craft that finds her baptism in life-saving at sea.”
+
+As long as they could see the _Ultonia_ the big liner continued to blow
+her whistle, and doubtless the eyes of all her passengers remained fixed
+attentively on the wonderful sky ship as she waxed smaller and smaller
+against the blue. That afternoon the voyagers found themselves off Cape
+Ann. High above the cape they flew, cutting off a good chunk of distance
+in this way. The folks in West Gloucester stared in wonderment as the
+huge air ship soared by high above the town, and when a short time later
+the aviators passed above the white-winged fishing fleet, every tin pan
+and fog horn in the flotilla of small craft sounded an enthusiastic “God
+speed” to the air travelers.
+
+Far behind the main body of the fisher craft lagged a small sloop, and
+as the _Sea Eagle_ came closer to her the boys noticed that her flag was
+flying from the peak “union down,” a sign of distress the world over.
+The big hydro-aëroplane was flying low at the time, and it was easy to
+see, without the aid of glasses, that several men were running about the
+sloop’s decks and shouting something up at the air voyagers.
+
+“Shall we go down and see what the trouble is?” asked Frank, as he and
+Harry saw the signs of distress.
+
+“Yes,” decided the doctor, “no craft, either of the air or of the sea,
+can disregard such a signal of disaster. It will be odd if, for the
+second time on the very first day of our cruise, we are able to render
+aid to somebody who needs it badly.”
+
+The boys thought so, too, and as they dropped seaward the minds of all
+three occupants of the _Sea Eagle_ were busy with speculations
+concerning what could be the cause of the sloop’s distress. Dr. Perkins
+caused his craft to alight gently on the sea a short distance from the
+sloop, and then headed her over the waves toward the distressed vessel.
+As they drew closer they could see a grizzled-looking fellow, in rough
+fisher’s garb, leaning over the side.
+
+“Come quick!” he shouted, “there’s been bad work going on aboard!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.—AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
+
+
+“What’s up?” cried Frank.
+
+“Yes, what’s the trouble?” came from Dr. Perkins.
+
+“Trouble enough. We sprang a leak two days ago, out on the fishing
+banks, and have been at the pumps ever since. Now we’ve got the leak
+stopped, but my mate, Joe Higgins, was struck on the head by the boom
+and is so mortal bad that if we don’t get a doctor for him pretty quick
+I’m afraid he’ll die. Then, too, our provisions is run out.”
+
+While the man was reciting this catalogue of mishaps the _Sea Eagle_ was
+run alongside, and Dr. Perkins made her fast with a line the man flung
+to him.
+
+“First let’s have a look at the injured man,” he said and, without
+further delay, Captain Zebedee Crooks, as he informed the travelers his
+name was, led them aft to a tiny cabin, stuffy, dark and reeking of
+fish. The boys followed Dr. Perkins into this wretched little den and
+Captain Zebedee lighted a sea lantern.
+
+Its rays showed them a heavily built man of middle age lying on a
+locker. His head was bandaged, and although he breathed he showed no
+other signs of life. Dr. Perkins, with the skill of a professional man,
+made a hasty examination.
+
+“This man is badly hurt,” he said at length. “I am afraid his skull is
+fractured, but of that I cannot be certain. He should be ashore in a
+hospital.”
+
+“Aye! I know that,” rejoined Captain Zebedee, “but at the rate we are
+going now we won’t get ashore till to-morrow night, and by that time
+poor Joe may be dead.”
+
+“I think it extremely likely,” replied Dr. Perkins, “but we must get him
+ashore at once.”
+
+“What, in that sky schooner of yours?” Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+“Yes, we must get him on deck without further loss of time. Then we’ll
+rush him to a hospital.”
+
+“The good Lord who sent you here bless you!” exclaimed the rugged old
+fisherman, affected almost to tears. “I never thought when I seen you
+away up thar in ther sky that you’d bother to notice the poor _Star of
+Gloucester_; but you did. You come down from the clouds like so many
+angels.”
+
+“Funny-looking angels,” remarked Frank to Harry, in an undertone. But
+Captain Zebedee’s gratitude was so heartfelt and earnest that neither of
+the boys could find it in them to smile at his odd phrases.
+
+Captain Zebedee summoned some of his crew from the deck and as tenderly
+as possible the injured man was conveyed from the cabin. This done, he
+was lowered into the _Sea Eagle_ and laid on a pile of blankets already
+prepared for his reception.
+
+“Better make for Bayhaven,” counseled Captain Zebedee; “there’s a good
+hospital there, and it lies right on the coast about in a straight line
+from here.”
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded, and then, having seen that the injured man was in a
+position to endure the ride comfortably, the flight to the shore was
+begun; but not till a substantial amount of provisions and some fresh
+water had been supplied to the fishing smack. As the _Sea Eagle_ took to
+the air the _Star of Gloucester_ was set before the wind, and staggered
+off on her slow course once more. The last the boys saw of the clumsy
+fisherman, the stout figure of Captain Zebedee was leaning on the stern
+bulwarks waving to them as they winged shoreward.
+
+The coast was a rocky one, with gaunt cliffs and few habitations. But as
+they reached it and flew low above a small house on the summit of the
+cliffs, they spied a man at work in a small garden. Of him Frank
+inquired the way to Bayhaven. The man was too much astonished to answer
+at first, and stood looking stupidly up at the winged monster above him.
+
+But finally he collected his wits and pointed to the south. The _Sea
+Eagle_ was thereupon headed round, and, not long after, her passengers
+came in sight of a tiny town huddled in a cove almost at the water’s
+edge. Heading out seaward once more, Dr. Perkins dropped to the water in
+the harbor, and then at reduced speed ran the _Sea Eagle_ up to the long
+wharf which jutted out at the foot of the little city’s main street.
+
+By the time they arrived alongside of the jetty half the population of
+the town was on hand to greet them. Their approach through the air had
+been seen when they were still some distance off, and as the _Sea Eagle_
+was the first air ship ever seen in Bayhaven it may be imagined what a
+sensation Dr. Perkins’ craft created.
+
+But all eager questioners were waved aside while Dr. Perkins and his
+young friends called for volunteers to help lift the injured man out of
+the _Sea Eagle_. A dozen willing hands responded, and before long the
+mate of the _Star of Gloucester_ was on his way to the hospital in a
+wagon which had been hastily converted into an ambulance. It may be said
+here that, thanks to the prompt manner in which aid had been secured for
+him, the man recovered after a long illness, and was able to resume his
+work on Captain Zebedee’s ship, where he never tires of telling of how
+he was saved by an aërial ambulance.
+
+Dr. Perkins accompanied his patient to the hospital, where he saw him
+comfortably settled. In the meantime Frank and Harry had been left on
+guard with the _Sea Eagle_, for the crowd had grown so large, and so
+curious, that it would not have been wise to have left the ship to the
+mercies of the inquisitive. The boys answered a perfect hailstorm of
+questions as good-naturedly as possible, but once or twice they had to
+use physical means to keep the younger element of the population of
+Bayhaven off the decks.
+
+By the time Dr. Perkins returned they were heartily tired of their job,
+and hailed his proposal that they should go up to town and purchase a
+fresh supply of provisions, with much delight. Leaving Dr. Perkins to
+cope with the throng, the two boys, arm in arm, made their way through
+the press and set off for the main street, which sloped up from the
+wharf. One or two of the crowd followed them, gaping curiously at the
+youthful aërial voyagers. But the boys were too used to the curiosity of
+crowds to mind this, and before long their followers dropped back to
+gape at the great flying machine.
+
+They found the town a small, uninteresting place. There were several
+shops, a hotel, with the usual group of loungers hanging about the
+porch, and further back a canning factory, which gave employment, in one
+way or another, to most of the inhabitants of Bayhaven. Beyond the hotel
+was a big “general store.” Entering it, the boys made a variety of
+purchases, and arranged that the goods should be shipped to the _Sea
+Eagle_ as soon as possible.
+
+They were just leaving the place when out of the dusk—for by this time
+it was getting late—there came a figure that caused both boys to come to
+a dead stop in petrified astonishment. As for the man who had caused
+their sudden stoppage he, for his part, appeared to be nonplussed for a
+second. But the next moment he turned and fairly ran out of the store.
+
+“After him!” cried Frank; “it’s that rascal Duval!”
+
+“That’s what!” cried Harry, no less excited.
+
+Both boys, to the utter amazement of the storekeeper, who thought they
+had gone suddenly crazy, dashed out of the door of the emporium, and
+taking the steps outside in one jump they made off in the direction in
+which Duval, for there was no doubt it was he, had vanished. But as ill
+luck would have it, the cannery whistle had just blown for the cessation
+of the day’s work, and round the corner there streamed a big crowd of
+the employees.
+
+It took the boys some time to work their way through the throng, for
+some of the men were inclined to tease them by stepping in their way and
+otherwise annoying them so that by the time they got through the crowd
+all hope of catching, or even sighting, Duval was gone.
+
+Greatly disappointed, and almost as much mystified by their sudden
+encounter with the rascally Frenchman, the boys decided to turn back and
+go down to the _Sea Eagle_. On their way they discussed Duval’s sudden
+reappearance with interest.
+
+“What can he be doing here?” wondered Harry.
+
+“Blessed if I know,” was the rejoinder, “but I’ll bet he’s up to some
+mischief or other. My! How he ran when he saw us.”
+
+“He had good reason to,” declared Harry; “I guess we’d have had him
+arrested if we’d ever caught him.”
+
+“Not much doubt of that,” declared Frank; “we could have charged him
+with the theft of that boat, anyhow, and that would have held him in the
+custody of the authorities till we could have obtained further
+evidence.”
+
+“Well, I don’t imagine we’ll see him again,” decided Harry, as they
+turned into the Main Street.
+
+“No such luck,” declared Frank.
+
+But, after all, the boys were to see Duval again, and sooner than they
+expected, too.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.—PLUMBO FOUND WANTING.
+
+
+They were still talking in this vein when they reached the wharf. The
+crowd had, by this time, thinned out somewhat, and they made their way
+to the _Sea Eagle_ without difficulty. They found Dr. Perkins talking
+with a most peculiar looking individual. He was long and lanky as a bean
+pole, and his thatch of bright red hair was crowned by a hat that a
+scarecrow might have disowned.
+
+“Wonder who our new-found friend can be?” laughed Harry, as they
+clambered down a rough ladder to _the Sea Eagle’s_ deck.
+
+They soon found out. Dr. Perkins, it appeared, had decided to spend the
+night at Bayhaven, and had engaged quarters at the hotel which the boys
+had passed. The man with whom he was talking rejoiced in the name of
+Plumbo Boggs, and was a village character. However, he was honest,
+though not overmuch endowed with brains, and had been recommended to the
+inventor as a reliable man to leave in charge of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Immediately Dr. Perkins had introduced this strange character, Plumbo
+broke out into rhymed speech which was a peculiarity of his. Some odd
+twist in his brain made it impossible for him to express himself in
+prose.
+
+“I’m Plumbo Boggs of old Bayhaven; from harm your air ship I’ll be
+savin’,” quoth he, striking an attitude.
+
+“Do you always talk that way?” inquired Frank.
+
+“Yes; I’m a poet, though you didn’t know it,” was the response.
+
+“Well, I don’t know that that will keep you from being a good watchman,”
+smiled Dr. Perkins.
+
+“I’ll watch by day or I’ll watch by night; you’ll soon find that I’m all
+right,” was the quick response, while Plumbo’s blue, rather watery eyes,
+flashed feebly.
+
+“That’s satisfactory. Mind, you are to let no one on board, under any
+pretext whatever.”
+
+“Pretext is a word that I don’t understand; but I’ll keep them off
+though they come in a band,” rejoined Plumbo.
+
+“How much will you do the job for?” asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+“Two dollars will be my price to stay here; pay it and then no trouble
+you’ll fear.”
+
+“I’ll agree to that,” said Dr. Perkins, “we are going uptown now. I’ll
+have your supper sent down to you and you are to remain here till you
+are relieved by us early to-morrow.”
+
+“I’ll stay right here, watchful and steady; you’ll find me here when to
+go you’re ready,” declared Plumbo.
+
+“And now that everything is well I guess we’ll start for the hotel,”
+said Frank, and not until both Dr. Perkins and Harry burst into a roar
+of laughter did he realize that he had caught the rhyming “infection”
+from the poetical Plumbo.
+
+“Be sure and don’t forget my supper; I like pork and beans and bread and
+butter,” called Plumbo after them as they left the wharf, and he took up
+his vigil.
+
+“An eccentric sort of character, but I guess he’ll take good care of the
+_Sea Eagle_ while we’re gone,” said Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was on the tip of Frank’s tongue to tell about their encounter with
+Duval; but the next instant he decided not to speak of it. Dr. Perkins
+had several important matters on his mind, and after all, the boy
+argued, Duval could not do them any harm now. After supper the editor of
+the local paper called round at the hotel to elicit from the aërial
+voyagers the story of their trip as far as it had gone. He was also
+correspondent for the Associated Press, he informed them. Dr. Perkins
+granted him a careful interview, in which he described part of their
+adventures, but was cautious not to reveal any of the details of the
+_Sea Eagle’s_ construction. Shortly after the newspaperman had taken his
+departure the party retired, having left an early call for the morning,
+for it had been determined to get under way as soon as possible the next
+day.
+
+Bayhaven retired early to its rest, and the streets were deserted when,
+soon after midnight, three men walked down the main street, taking care
+to keep in the shadows of the buildings as they proceeded. One of the
+men was Duval, and the others were the Daniels, father and son. Their
+presence in Bayhaven is soon explained.
+
+As we know, the elder Daniels had offered to get money to finance the
+trip to the Black Bayou, and it was from relatives in Bayhaven that he
+calculated on getting it. The trio had arrived in the town the day
+before, and Daniels had promptly obtained the money as a loan, he having
+represented that the treasure was undoubtedly to be found in the
+long-forgotten wreck.
+
+They had been on the streets the day before when the approach of the
+_Sea Eagle_ was announced, and Duval instantly guessed that the oncoming
+air ship was the same that had rescued him and his employers from the
+illfated _Wanderer_. Neither the Daniels nor Duval himself knew anything
+of the destination of the _Sea Eagle_, nor did they guess for an instant
+that Harry Chester carried with him an exact duplicate of Duval’s stolen
+plan. But their evil natures prompted them to do all the harm they could
+to the party, and it was with this end in view that they were making
+their way down the badly lighted and deserted streets of Bayhaven at
+such an hour. Duval’s dislike of the boys had been roused to fever heat
+by their chase of him in the afternoon, and he was burning to do them
+some injury. From one of the elder Daniels’ relatives the rascals had
+learned that Dr. Perkins and his two young friends were registered at
+the hotel, leaving the _Sea Eagle_ in charge of Plumbo. At once they had
+decided to visit the air ship and see what harm they could do it.
+
+Stealthily they advanced toward the wharf, revolving in their minds as
+they went what they would do when they got there.
+
+“We’ll have to get that half-witted chap out of the way,” declared
+Duval, in a low tone, “or he may make an outcry and arouse the whole
+place.”
+
+“Leave that to me,” Daniels assured him; “we’ll fix him up all right.”
+
+“You don’t mean to hurt him? I don’t want to get mixed up in anything
+like that,” whimpered Duval, who was somewhat of a coward, as we know.
+
+Daniels actually chuckled.
+
+“Waal, you are a chicken-hearted fool,” he muttered, “but don’t you be
+scared. There won’t be no necessity of hurtin’ this Plumbo. I can
+recollect him from a time when I was here years ago. He’s soft-headed
+and talks poetry. Them two things most allers goes together I’ve found.”
+
+Nothing more was said till they reached the wharf. It was dark and
+deserted, but in the starlight the dim outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ could
+be seen as she lay at her moorings.
+
+“I’ll bet a cruller that chap’s asleep,” whispered Zeb, as they crept
+forward cautiously.
+
+“Hope so. It’ll make our work a lot the easier,” chuckled his worthy
+father.
+
+But the next moment they had undeniable proof that the watchman was not
+slumbering. From amidst the ghostly outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ came
+Plumbo’s voice.
+
+“Who’s there so late? Answer up, mate.”
+
+“Is that you, Plumbo?” said the elder Daniels.
+
+“Yes, this is me, as you can see.”
+
+“How are we goin’ ter see you when it’s so confounded dark?” growled
+Daniels.
+
+“Well, what do you wish? To bathe or fish?” inquired Plumbo, ignoring
+this remark. Then he continued:
+
+“You’d better skip. You’ll not board this ship.”
+
+“That’s just what we came here to do,” replied Daniels, in an unruffled
+tone; “your mother is very ill and we come down to take charge of the
+air ship while you go home as quick as possible.”
+
+Now poor Plumbo’s love for his widowed mother was a matter of common
+talk in the village, and the cunning of the elder Daniels had suggested
+this scheme to him as they came along. It worked even better than he had
+dared to expect. The rhyming watchman gave a gasp of pained
+astonishment.
+
+“I must go home; though I ought not to roam,” he said.
+
+“Make your mind easy about that, lad,” Daniels assured him; “we’ll watch
+this cloud clipper while you’re gone. Dr. Perkins told us to stay here
+while you are gone.”
+
+“I’ll go home in a hurry; be back in a scurry,” declared Plumbo, who was
+completely taken in. His none too acute brain had been easily imposed
+upon by Daniels’ rascally trick. He scrambled up on the wharf and at
+once set off on a run for his home, crying as he went:
+
+“Watch every crack till I can get back.”
+
+“Oh, go to the dickens while we get our pickin’s,” growled out young Zeb
+Daniels, at which specimen of wit his father laughed heartily, though in
+a subdued way.
+
+“Now, then, boys,” said Daniels, as Plumbo’s footsteps died away, “get
+busy and spile this cruise for that bunch of fine gentlemen. We’ll show
+’em what it means to try to take folks’ livings away.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.—FRANK’S BATTLE.
+
+
+It was about midnight that Frank, for no reason that he could explain,
+awakened with a vague feeling of uneasiness. Try as he would he could
+not compose himself to sleep again, but lay awake, struggling with a
+sort of intuitive suspicion that all was not well with the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+At last, so strong did his conviction become, that, although he was
+ridiculing his fears all the time, he arose and dressed himself, and
+then started out for the wharf. For a moment he thought he would rouse
+Harry, who slept on another bed in the same room; but in the end he
+decided not to disturb his brother’s repose. Perhaps he had a vague fear
+of ridicule, but at any rate Frank crept out of the hotel alone and made
+his way silently down the dark and empty streets.
+
+“This is certainly a fool’s errand I’m going on,” he told himself; “I
+suppose that my reward for my pains will be to hear some more of
+Plumbo’s poetry, and yet—and yet, I can’t help it. I couldn’t sleep
+another wink unless I was sure that the _Sea Eagle_ was all right.”
+
+Musing thus, and minimizing his own fears, Frank came in due time to the
+wharf. He made his way down it and was about to step forward to descend
+the ladder that led to the _Sea Eagle’s_ deck, when he heard something
+that made him pause. He recognized the sound instantly.
+
+It was the rasp of a file!
+
+“My gracious! Somebody _is_ tampering with the _Sea Eagle_!” exclaimed
+the boy to himself. “My fears were not as groundless as I thought them,
+after all. I wonder if that rascal Duval——”
+
+The current of his thoughts was suddenly checked at this point by
+another noise near at hand. It seemed to come from behind a big pile of
+boxes on the wharf.
+
+“Goodness! What’s that?” thought Frank, and then for the first time it
+flashed across him that if more than one man was engaged in the
+nefarious work that he was sure was going on, he was at a serious
+disadvantage. He had no weapons but his hands, whereas the others were
+undoubtedly well armed.
+
+“I’ll slip back uptown as quickly as I can and arouse the authorities,”
+he decided, “if they are quick we can catch the rascals red-handed. I
+wonder what can have become of that fellow Jumbo or whatever his name
+was? I suppose he went to sleep or something. Well, it serves us right
+for leaving such an eccentric fellow on guard.”
+
+Frank, who had been crouching in the shadow of the very boxes behind
+which he had heard the suspicious sounds, rose quickly to his feet. He
+was just slipping off, congratulating himself that he had been
+unobserved when from behind the boxes a dark figure suddenly emerged.
+
+“Hands up, Frank Chester,” it exclaimed; “we’ve got you where we want
+you this time.”
+
+“Zeb Daniels!” exclaimed Frank, dumbfounded with astonishment. He had
+not supposed the rascally young fisherman within miles of the place.
+
+“Yes; that’s me. Don’t move a step or you’ll get hurt.”
+
+But Frank’s indignation overcame his prudence.
+
+“What are you doing here?” he demanded angrily.
+
+“None of your business.”
+
+“It isn’t, eh? Well I know that you are damaging Dr. Perkins’ boat in
+some way and——”
+
+Frank stepped deftly aside as Zeb, who was a far heavier, stronger boy
+than the young aviator, made a tigerish jump at him, at the same time
+brandishing a thick club threateningly.
+
+But Zeb’s sudden rush proved his undoing. Before he could recover his
+balance Frank had planted a clean, hard punch on the young ruffian’s
+jaw, and Zeb reeled back dizzily. He recovered himself almost instantly,
+however, and without making a sound hurled himself at Frank once more.
+In a rough and tumble fight the sturdily built fisher boy might have
+been a match for Frank Chester, but Frank had already gained some
+advantage and he met Zeb’s frenzied charge coolly.
+
+Zeb, as he got within reach, let loose a tremendous swing which, if it
+had struck Frank’s head as his burly young opponent intended, might have
+laid him flat. But to his astonishment Zeb’s fist met only empty air.
+Frank had ducked the blow with consummate ease, and the next instant:
+
+One! Two!—Crack! Smack! Two well-planted blows landed on Zeb’s face and
+body. Frank was rushing in to complete his victory when he was suddenly
+seized from behind in a powerful grip and hurled to the ground with
+great violence.
+
+Zeb’s father, on board the _Sea Eagle_, had heard the disturbance, and
+had swiftly and silently climbed the ladder leading up on to the wharf.
+Behind him, but at a prudent distance, came Duval. The Frenchman had no
+love for fighting, unless the odds were all in his favor, and he was by
+no means certain how many men might have attacked them.
+
+The elder Daniels took in the situation in a flash, and pinioned Frank’s
+arms, just as the latter was about to put an end to the battle. Duval
+saw instantly that there was no personal danger to himself, and while
+the elder Daniels held a grimy, leathery paw over Frank’s mouth to
+prevent his shouting for aid, Duval pinioned the lad’s lower limbs.
+Helpless as a baby Frank lay there on his back, completely at the mercy
+of three individuals whom he had no reason to suppose would handle him
+gently.
+
+While he still lay there a helpless captive, young Daniels came up, and
+doubling up his fist deliberately struck the helpless boy in the face.
+But the elder of the Daniels angrily checked him.
+
+“Stow that,” he muttered roughly. “What’s the matter with you?”
+
+“I wanted to get even with him,” whined Zeb; “he licked me and——”
+
+“Waal, git even some other way. Bring me that rope off them pile of
+boxes while I make him fast.”
+
+Zeb said no more, but obediently fetched the rope, and before many
+minutes had passed Frank was bound hand and foot. Moreover, a gag,
+consisting of a dirty fragment torn from the elder Daniels’ shirt, was
+thrust into his mouth.
+
+“What’ll we do with him now?” demanded Zeb, when this had been done.
+
+“Humph, I hadn’t thought of that,” rejoined the elder fisherman; “we
+can’t leave him here, for we don’t want any one to find him when they
+come down, as they are bound to do afore long when that idiot Plumbo
+finds out that we’ve fooled him. What _will_ we do with the young game
+cock?”
+
+“I’d like to chuck him overboard,” quoth Zeb amiably, staunching his
+bleeding nose with a dirty coat sleeve.
+
+“Don’t waste time talking rubbish,” angrily rejoined his parent; “see
+here, Duval, kain’t you think of something?”
+
+“Yes, I can,” was the eager reply; “it’s just occurred to me. Ho! ho! I
+guess that’ll keep him quiet for a while.”
+
+“Well, what do you propose to do?” growled Daniels. “Don’t stand there
+like an owl. Out with it.”
+
+“Well, my friend, you see those big barrels over there?”
+
+“Yes, what about them?”
+
+“We’ll put him in one of those and give him a sea trip.”
+
+“By Jeehosophat, but that’s a notion! I reckon by the time he’s picked
+up, or drifts ashore, he’ll be sorry he interfered with us.”
+
+“That’s a great scheme,” chuckled Zeb, equally delighted. “That’s what I
+call getting even in good shape.”
+
+“Hold on a minute; how’s the tide?” murmured Daniels. “We don’t want him
+to be picked up too quick.”
+
+“The tide’s running out, pop,” said Zeb, after a minute; “I tell you,
+though, what’s the matter with putting the barrel in that dory there and
+then loading him in it? We can row out a ways and then dump him
+overside.”
+
+“That’s the best idea yet,” warmly approved his worthy parent; “come on,
+boys, tumble the barrel into that dory. Lively, now!”
+
+The barrel, quite a big one, which had been used for salting down fish
+and was quite watertight, was lowered into the dory that Zeb’s sharp
+eyes had spied with some difficulty.
+
+Frank had watched the movements of his captors as well as he could in
+the darkness; but he was quite unable to guess what all this meant,
+which, perhaps, was just as well. As the conversation had been carried
+on in whispers, he had not overheard a syllable of the rascally plan to
+set him adrift out of pure malice.
+
+Still bound and gagged, he was lowered into the dory, unable to call out
+or move, despite the now serious alarm he felt. What could the men be
+going to do with him, he wondered, and was still busy speculating on his
+probable fate when Zeb and his father cast off the dory and, with rapid
+strokes, began to row toward the mouth of the harbor on which Bayhaven
+is situated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.—A RASCALLY TRICK.
+
+
+While all this had been occurring on the wharf Plumbo Boggs had
+discovered the deception that had been practiced on him, and was
+hastening as fast as he could to the hotel. Even he, whose mind could
+not be called quick acting, realized that he was the victim of a trick,
+the object of which was, in all probability, to injure the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Arousing the night clerk, Plumbo begged to be directed to Dr. Perkins’
+room. The night clerk knew the eccentric character, and lost no time in
+escorting him to the doctor’s quarters. Plumbo thundered on the door
+with noise sufficient to arouse the other guests.
+
+“What is it? What’s happened?” shouted Dr. Perkins, thinking for an
+instant that the place must be on fire at least.
+
+“Oh, doctor, come quick! They’ve played us a trick!” yelled Plumbo.
+
+“Who? Where? What do you mean?” exclaimed Dr. Perkins, coming to the
+door.
+
+“Two men and a lad; they’ve fooled me bad.”
+
+“Do you mean that they persuaded you to leave the _Sea Eagle_ alone and
+unguarded?”
+
+“They told me a story to get me from there; or I’d have given your air
+ship the best of good care,” pleaded Plumbo, seriously alarmed at the
+angry look that had come over the doctor’s face. “Don’t be angry with
+me, I pray; if they hurt it I’ll ask you no pay.”
+
+“As if that would help,” cried Dr. Perkins angrily; “wait there till I
+get some clothes on.”
+
+He retreated into the room and as he hastily donned some garments he
+wondered who the men could be who had induced the soft-witted poet to
+leave his position of trust.
+
+“For the life of me I can’t imagine who they can be,” he was thinking,
+while he hurriedly laced his shoes, when the door opened and in walked
+Harry fully dressed.
+
+“I heard the noise in the corridor, and heard Plumbo telling you that
+something had happened to the _Sea Eagle_,” he said excitedly.
+
+“I don’t know that anything has happened yet,” cried Dr. Perkins
+anxiously; “I’m hoping not. But from what I can gather from Plumbo’s
+foolish talk three men induced him, on some pretext, to leave the ship
+unguarded. I must say it looks suspicious. But I cannot think who there
+is in this place where we are unknown who would want to harm us.”
+
+The thought of Duval flashed across Harry’s mind. He and Frank had
+decided not to tell Dr. Perkins about their encounter lest it should
+worry him; but surely the time to tell about it had come now.
+
+“We ought to have told you,” he said, rather falteringly, “but we did
+not want to cause you undue anxiety,—we saw Duval this afternoon.”
+
+“What!”
+
+Dr. Perkins almost shouted the question, or rather exclamation, in a
+thunderstruck tone.
+
+“Yes. We tried to catch him, but he escaped us. Frank can tell you all
+about it. By the way, where is Frank?”
+
+“Isn’t he in your room?”
+
+“No; when I was awakened by the noise in the passage I saw that his bed
+was empty. I supposed that he had got out of bed ahead of me and had
+come in here.”
+
+“I haven’t seen him since we retired.”
+
+“Then where can he be?”
+
+The inventor and the boy aviator stared at each other for an instant.
+
+“Good gracious, this looks serious, indeed,” exclaimed Dr. Perkins; “not
+in his room, and not in the hotel, apparently. Where can he have gone
+to?”
+
+“That’s what’s worrying me,” cried Harry, in a rather quavering tone;
+“I’m sure, perfectly sure, that that rascal Duval knows something about
+him wherever he is. Maybe he heard some word of a plot to injure the
+_Sea Eagle_ and has gone down to see if he can frustrate it. Duval——”
+
+“Yes; but Duval, if it is he, is not alone in this thing. Plumbo says
+there were two men and a lad.”
+
+“Two men and a lad,” cried Harry joyously, “then the lad must have been
+Frank.”
+
+“But who could the others have been? They all came together and sent our
+watchman away.”
+
+“It’s all a deep mystery, doctor. I think our best plan is to make all
+the speed we can to the wharf. Perhaps we can find some solution there.”
+
+“Yes; let us do so at once. I am all ready, are you?”
+
+“Yes; I hurried to get dressed as soon as I heard the noise in the
+corridor.”
+
+Plumbo was waiting, and as they hastened down the street he explained in
+his odd rhyming speech just what had happened. He could not describe the
+men except to say that one had whiskers on his chin. In a part of the
+country where this is a favorite facial adornment this information was
+not much of a clew.
+
+It took the alarmed party much less time to reach the wharf than they
+would have thought was possible. In fact, almost the whole distance was
+traversed at a run. But when they arrived at the wharf and a lantern,
+which Dr. Perkins had had the foresight to bring along, had been
+kindled, they found nothing to inform them as to what had taken place.
+The doctor had not expected to find Plumbo’s three men there, but he had
+had an idea that he would find something damaged about the _Sea Eagle_.
+But as careful an examination as it was possible to make by lamplight
+failed to reveal any trace of damage.
+
+Naturally this, instead of helping to clear the mystery, only deepened
+it. What object could the men have had who had sent Plumbo off on his
+wild goose chase if it had not been to wreak injury to the _Sea Eagle_?
+
+“Maybe they were some inventors who wanted to steal your ideas,”
+suggested Harry, recalling some experiences of their own with
+unscrupulous aviators.
+
+But Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+“Every important feature of the _Sea Eagle_ is fully covered by
+patents,” he said; “there isn’t a single idea they could appropriate in
+the short time they could have spent here anyhow.”
+
+Harry had to admit that this was so, but to tell the truth his thoughts
+were centered more on Frank and on the strange circumstances surrounding
+his disappearance than they were on the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+“I’m as certain as that daylight will come again that Frank fits into
+this mix-up somewhere,” he said, voicing his thoughts, “but the question
+is where?”
+
+“Well, he’s not here now, that’s certain,” declared Dr. Perkins. “I
+propose that we should return to the hotel now that we have discovered
+that no damage has been done. He may meet us there.”
+
+“Let’s search the wharf first,” said Harry, but, naturally, even their
+painstaking search failed to reveal any trace of Frank’s fate till, all
+at once, Harry, who was carrying the lantern, came upon his brother’s
+cap lying where it had fallen in the scuffle among the boxes.
+
+The bit of headgear had been kicked close to the string-piece of the
+wharf, and a fearful fear that made Harry’s head swim shot into his
+mind. Could Frank have come down to the wharf, suspecting mischief was
+on foot, and have either fallen or been thrown into the water?
+
+“Look—look here, sir,” he exclaimed in a shaking voice, as Dr. Perkins
+asked him what was the matter.
+
+“What is it?” asked the doctor, coming forward. “A clew?”
+
+“Yes; it’s—it’s Frank’s cap, doctor. Pray heaven no harm has befallen
+him.”
+
+“If it has, swift vengeance is going to overtake somebody,” declared Dr.
+Perkins, clenching his hands; “where did you find the cap?”
+
+“Close to the string-piece. You—you don’t think he could have fallen
+over?”
+
+“Nonsense,” declared Dr. Perkins with a confidence he was far from
+feeling; “we’ll get him back again safe and sound, never fear.”
+
+But Harry’s heart sank as he fingered his brother’s cap.
+
+“I’m trying to think so, too, sir,” he said miserably; “but—but——”
+
+He paused abruptly, for he could not have gone further without breaking
+down. Harry had gone through some anxious moments in his life, but never
+had his heart sunk so low as it did that night on the Bayhaven wharf.
+
+In the meantime, let us see how it was faring with the boy whose
+disappearance had caused such cruel fears—fears which even the vengeful
+tempers of Daniels and his son would have been satisfied with. We left
+Frank gagged and bound on the bottom of the dory, while Zeb and his
+father were pulling with strong, swift strokes for the open water.
+
+The dory shot swiftly and silently seaward, with Frank completely in the
+dark as to what was to be his fate. It occurred to him, though, that
+perhaps they meant to maroon him on some island. This thought did not
+give him so much anxiety as might have been expected, for he knew that
+the waters about Bayhaven were fairly populous with boats, and did not
+suppose that his captors meant to keep him a prisoner any longer time
+than would be necessary for them to take their departure from that part
+of the coast before the authorities could be notified.
+
+Imagine, then, his thrill of surprise when the boat suddenly stopped and
+the barrel, into which some big stones had been thrown to keep it
+upright in the water, was lowered from the dory. This done, Frank was
+lifted by main force and placed in it.
+
+A brutal laugh broke from Zeb and his father as they shoved the barrel
+containing its helpless captive away from the side of the dory. Duval
+said nothing, but his white teeth showed in a grin in the starlight.
+Frank, gagged as he was, could not utter a word or move a limb. He could
+only realize, with dumb agony, the terrible nature of his fate.
+
+Still laughing, the brutal rascals who had conceived the idea of setting
+him adrift, rowed off at a quick rate, leaving the barrel and its
+helpless occupant bobbing up and down on the swells of the starlit sea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.—REUNITED!
+
+
+Frank’s heart sank as he cast a look about him and perceived the
+helplessness of his position.
+
+“If I could only get this gag off and shout for help,” he thought,
+“maybe somebody would hear me.”
+
+But there seemed to be no means of compassing this end, try as he would
+to think of some way. All at once, as the stars were beginning to fade
+and a faint flush of gray appeared in the east, he perceived a nail
+sticking up on the rim of the barrel. This gave him an idea. By bending
+slightly he would be able to bring the edge of the gag against the sharp
+pointed bit of metal, and possibly tear it out. At any rate, it was
+worth trying, and Frank at once proceeded to put his plan into action.
+
+It was a hard job to bend low enough to bring his mouth on a level with
+the nail, but fortunately the barrel was a large one, and consequently
+he had not so very far to stoop. By making a desperate effort he
+succeeded at last in dragging the gag across the nail. In doing this he
+scratched his chin, but he did not mind that, for the nail caught and
+held the rag, tearing it out of his mouth as he moved his head.
+
+“Hurray!” breathed Frank, inhaling a great lungful of fresh air. “Now I
+can at least make a racket, and maybe that will bring some one.”
+
+With all his might he began shouting for help. In the still morning air
+his voice carried clearly across the water, and to the lad’s huge
+delight it was not long before he perceived, coming toward him a small
+fishing boat, which, from the “chugging” sound it made, was evidently
+furnished with a gasolene engine.
+
+But the question that now agitated the boy was, “Would they see him or
+hear his voice above the loud noise of the motor?” If they did not,
+Frank realized that his plight would pass from a serious to a desperate
+state, for the barrel was, by this time, caught in a current which was
+rapidly increasing the distance between himself and the shore.
+
+To his intense relief, however, he saw the fishing boat suddenly change
+her course, and before long she was close enough for him to read the
+name “_Two Sisters_” on her broad, bluff bow.
+
+“Waal, by the tarnal!” came a gruff voice, “who and what are yer out
+here in a ba’rl?”
+
+The speaker, a burly-looking fellow, with a rough but kindly
+countenance, regarded Frank’s face, which was all that was visible of
+him, with the most intense astonishment, as well he might. In a long
+experience off shore, covering all sorts of adventures, Captain Elihu
+Carney of the _Two Sisters_ had never before beheld a floating barrel
+with a human head projecting from it.
+
+“It’s a kid—a boy!” shouted one of his mates from the stern of the _Two
+Sisters_, where he held the tiller.
+
+“Crack-e-e! so it air. Hey, kid, what yer doin’ out here? Takin’ a
+cruise, or is this one of them new-fangled health cures?”
+
+“It’s neither, I assure you,” cried Frank; “get me out of this and I’ll
+tell you all about it.”
+
+“I’ll run alongside and you can climb out.”
+
+“No, I can’t,” returned Frank; “I’m bound hand and foot.”
+
+“What! Say, you be’ant one of them movin’ picter fellers makin’ a fillum
+be yer?”
+
+Captain Carney’s rugged face held a look full of suspicion. Once not
+long before his boat had been boarded by a beauteous maiden, apparently
+fleeing from a band of desperadoes. The gallant captain had fished her
+out of the dory in which she was rowing from her pursuers and had
+threatened the apparent rascals with all sorts of dire things. Then to
+his chagrin a voice had hailed him:
+
+“Hey, you old mossback! You’ve spoiled a grind!”
+
+A “grind” being moving picture language for a film.
+
+“I certainly am not,” returned Frank indignantly; “no moving pictures
+about this, I can tell you. This is the real thing.”
+
+“Waal, as I don’t see no camera about I reckon it’s all right. Put her
+head round, Eph, and we’ll pick him up, but ‘once bitten twice shy,’ you
+know.”
+
+Eph, the helmsman, brought the bow of the _Two Sisters_ round and slowed
+up the engine. A minute later the fishing boat’s side was scraping the
+barrel, and Captain Carney’s muscular arms lifted Frank out of his
+floating prison as if he had been an infant.
+
+“Waal, I’ll be double decked consarned!” he roared, as he saw the ropes
+that confined the boy’s limbs. “Who done this?”
+
+“Some rascals who had good cause to wish me harm,” said Frank. “I
+suppose they thought they could get rid of me while they made their
+escape.”
+
+“What’s the world comin’ to?” cried the rugged skipper, throwing up his
+hands.
+
+He reached into his belt for a tarry sailor’s knife and cut Frank loose
+in a few strokes of the keen blade. But the boy was so stiff from loss
+of circulation that it was some time before he recovered the use of his
+limbs. The _Two Sisters_, it turned out, was headed for Bayhaven, to
+which port she belonged, but so far had Frank drifted in his—or rather
+somebody else’s barrel—that he was able to tell his whole story before
+the wharf was reached.
+
+As they neared it the skipper ordered Eph to blow the compressed air
+whistle so as to apprise every one ashore that something unusual was
+happening. Among the crowd that hastened to the wharf in response to the
+frenzied tooting Frank recognized Dr. Perkins and Harry. As they drew
+close he saw how white and strained their faces were, and realized what
+anxiety they must have been through on his account. He shouted loudly,
+and at the sound of his voice both Harry and the staid inventor set up a
+series of cheers that drowned the tooting of the whistle. As for Plumbo
+Boggs, who was also on the wharf, he burst into rhyme at once.
+
+“Home again! home again from the stormy sea; now that your chum is found
+all right, don’t blame me!”
+
+So saying he capered about, snapping his fingers and performing a dozen
+odd antics while the _Two Sisters_ was making fast. Without waiting for
+Frank, who was still stiff and sore, to come up on the wharf, Harry and
+Dr. Perkins jumped to the deck of the _Two Sisters_, and the former
+fairly threw his arms about his brother’s neck.
+
+“If you only knew how glad I am you have come back,” he exclaimed.
+
+“What ever happened to you?” demanded Dr. Perkins.
+
+“It’s a long story,” said Frank, “and I’m famished. Suppose we ask
+Captain Carney and Eph to breakfast with us and while we are eating I’ll
+tell you all about it.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.—OFF ONCE MORE.
+
+
+AS our readers are fully acquainted with Frank’s adventure it would only
+tedious to relate all that took place at the breakfast. It may be said,
+however, that both Captain Carney and his mate received a substantial
+recognition of their services, from Dr. Perkins, in the form of a check.
+At first the bluff fishermen were by no means willing to take pay for
+what they had done, but were finally prevailed upon to accept the
+present, which, as Captain Carney owned, “would come in mighty handy.”
+
+After the conclusion of the meal all hands adjourned to the wharf, and a
+thorough examination was made once more of the _Sea Eagle_, with the
+object of detecting any damage which the Daniels and Duval might have
+done her, and which might have been overlooked in the lamplight
+investigation made by Dr. Perkins and Harry. A bright spot was found on
+one of the metal braces. Undeniably it had been done by the teeth of a
+file, but it was only a superficial damage, which did not affect the
+strength of the _Sea Eagle_ in any way.
+
+“I guess Frank scared them away before they had time to do any more
+harm,” was Dr. Perkins’ conclusion; but later on he was to have a
+different opinion.
+
+As things were at present, however, Dr. Perkins felt no hesitation in
+declaring the _Sea Eagle_ fit to resume her voyage without further
+delay. The fresh provisions being on board, and there being nothing to
+prevent an immediate start, the voyagers at once made ready for a
+continuance of the trip which, so far, had proved so packed with
+adventure.
+
+The gasolene tank was refilled, and the emergency receptacles for the
+liquid fuel seen to. Plumbo Boggs was paid and instructions left to
+telegraph Dr. Perkins in New Orleans in case any trace was found of the
+miscreants, who undoubtedly had intended to injure the _Sea Eagle_, and
+who had played such a dastardly trick on Frank.
+
+“You’ll fly from the sea far up to the sky; good-by! good-by! good-by!
+good-by!” cried Plumbo Boggs as the ropes that held the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the wharf were cast off and, amidst a loud cheer from the crowd, the
+engine was started.
+
+It was a fine summer morning with a glassy sea and a sky that was
+cloudless, except in the east, where a great mass of castellated white
+clouds were piled up.
+
+“You’d best hug the shore,” were Captain Carney’s parting words of
+advice. “To my mind we’ll have a storm of some sort before the day’s
+out.”
+
+But in the noise and excitement of the departure his words were unheard
+and the _Sea Eagle_ started off down the coast with the warning
+unheeded. Dr. Perkins ran the craft over the water till the mouth of the
+harbor was reached, easily outdistancing some fast launches that tried
+to keep up with them. When they got “outside,” the _Sea Eagle_ was
+driven ahead at top speed, and with her rising planes set at a sharp
+angle she was driven upward till a height of some five hundred and fifty
+feet had been obtained. Her course was due south.
+
+They were flying over a small island not far from the shore when Frank,
+who was looking over the side, noticed a dory ashore on the beach. He
+had hardly noticed this before three figures came running down to the
+beach and pointed upward. One of them jerked a rifle up to his shoulder,
+and a minute later a puff of smoke came from the barrel. Simultaneously
+a bullet sang through the rigging of the _Sea Eagle_, boring a small
+hole in one of the upper planes, but, fortunately, not striking any
+vital part of the craft or doing injury to her passengers.
+
+“That’s those rascals now!” exclaimed Frank indignantly. “They must have
+rowed down to that island and are waiting there for a chance to get
+ashore quietly. Shall we go down and attack them?”
+
+Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+“Nothing much would be gained by it,” he said, “and it would only delay
+our trip.”
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was flying fast, and the rascals on the island, who, as
+Frank had rightly guessed, were the two Daniels and Duval, had no chance
+to try a second shot. At noon, after a steady flight all the morning,
+the voyagers found themselves off Martha’s Vineyard. A hasty lunch was
+eaten in midair, with the _Sea Eagle_ still winging her way like a
+grayhound of the sky.
+
+The shore swam by below them like a panorama, but they only viewed it
+indistinctly, as the course was kept about five miles off shore. In the
+afternoon they saw, off to the right, a stretch of mammoth hotels and
+amusement resorts.
+
+“Atlantic City!” cried Frank. “I’ll bet there are hundreds of glasses
+leveled at us from the boardwalk right now.”
+
+“I guess so,” rejoined Harry. “We must look funny way out here at sea.”
+
+It was half an hour later that Frank’s attention was attracted to the
+sky by the sudden blotting out of the sun, which had been shining
+brightly. He gave a cry of alarm as he looked upward. A vast bank of
+black clouds had come rolling up, like a sable curtain, blotting out the
+blue sky. The sea below was leaden and angry in hue, and its surface was
+flecked with white caps.
+
+“We’re in for some bad weather, I’m afraid,” declared Dr. Perkins, when
+Frank called his attention to it.
+
+Hardly had he spoken before, from the cloud bank, a red, jagged flash of
+lightning blazed. It was followed almost instantly by a sharp clap of
+thunder, and some heavy rain drops began to patter on the broad upper
+planes of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+“I’ll make for shore,” declared Dr. Perkins; “we must be about off Cape
+May now. We can lie there in shelter till this blows itself out.”
+
+“That will be the best idea,” said Frank. “This is going to be a hummer.
+Wow! Look at that!”
+
+A flash of lightning, that seemed as if the whole curtain of clouds had
+been split from top to bottom, had caused his exclamation. So brilliant
+was the glare that it caused them all to blink involuntarily.
+
+“Put on full speed, Frank!” shouted Dr. Perkins above the deafening peal
+of thunder that followed.
+
+Frank needed no second bidding. He opened both gasolene and spark levers
+to their full capacity. Dr. Perkins had already headed the _Sea Eagle_
+for the distant low-lying shore. This caused the craft to plunge almost
+as much as if she were “bucking” into a heavy sea. For the wind was off
+shore, and the thunder storm, as such storms frequently do, was coming
+up against it.
+
+Suddenly, in the midst of the fight with the wind, Frank noticed an
+ominous sound from the motor. It gave a sort of spluttering, coughing
+exhaust and slowed down perceptibly.
+
+“What’s wrong now?” he exclaimed anxiously. “Gracious, if the motor
+should go out of business now!”
+
+He did not say this aloud, but bent over the laboring machine to try and
+ascertain what was the matter with it.
+
+“More speed!” cried Dr. Perkins from the forward part of the air ship;
+“we can’t fight this wind at this pace.”
+
+“There’s something the matter with the motor,” shouted Frank above the
+now almost continuous rolling of the thunder. “I can’t make out what——”
+
+A sudden loud report, like a pistol shot, came from the engine—a
+back-fire, as it is called—and the next instant the motor stopped dead.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was at that moment some 750 feet above the angry sea,
+with the storm raging about her furiously. Before Dr. Perkins could
+realize what had happened, the big craft began to drop downward with
+sickening velocity, while her occupants clung on to whatever was handy,
+with the desperate clutch of drowning men.
+
+Frank had just time to shout:
+
+“The life preservers! Quick, quick! for heaven’s sake!”
+
+But there was no time to obey the order before the _Sea Eagle_ struck
+the waves, hurling spray and wind-driven foam in a great cloud all about
+her wings and substructure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.—A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
+
+
+The next moments were filled with anxiety. The sea was running high,
+and, although Dr. Perkins had brought his craft upon a level keel by
+skillful volplaning, before it struck the waves, the situation was
+extremely serious.
+
+The hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ was built lightly, and,
+although it was well strengthened with braces, the test was a severe
+one. Over the bow the crests of the waves broke constantly, showering
+the occupants with spray. The _Sea Eagle_ was tossed about helplessly, a
+plaything of the waves, while her adventurers strove to collect their
+thoughts and decide what was to be done.
+
+First they adopted Frank’s suggestion and donned the life jackets, so
+that if the worst came to the worst they would have a fighting chance
+for their lives. When this had been done, Frank, who had had some
+experience in motor boats, supervised the rigging of a “spray-hood”
+across the bow. This kept some of the spray out, and, although it was
+formed of sheets of spare canvas intended to be used as waterproof night
+coverings, it answered its purpose well enough.
+
+“Do you think that there is a chance of our keeping afloat?” asked Harry
+when this had been done.
+
+“Well, we appear to be making out all right so far,” rejoined Dr.
+Perkins; “the wing floats are working well, and if only we can get the
+engine going again we may be able to fly ashore yet.”
+
+The wing floats referred to were nothing more nor less than the light
+cylindrical pontoons affixed to each lower wing tip. They acted
+precisely as “outriggers” would do in steadying the _Sea Eagle_. In
+fact, had it not been for this lateral support, the craft must have
+turned turtle under the terrific tossing she was receiving.
+
+“I’m going right to work on the engine,” announced Frank.
+
+With Harry to help him, the lad proceeded to carry out this purpose. But
+it was the hardest bit of “trouble finding” he had ever done. The motion
+of the _Sea Eagle_, as she was tossed on a wave crest and then hurled
+into the abyss beyond, made it hard to hold on, let alone investigating
+the complicated mechanism of a motor. But as time wore on and they still
+kept afloat, they began to have hopes that they would at least stay on
+the surface till the engine could be started once more.
+
+One after another Frank made the different tests employed to ascertain
+the various troubles that may assail a gasolene motor. He tested the
+ignition, the spark, the gasolene supply and the bearings. Everything
+appeared to be all right, and he paused in a puzzled way before he went
+to work on the carburetor. That is a delicate piece of mechanism, even
+to an ingenious boy like Frank Chester; but he finally concluded that
+the trouble must lie there. His first task was to open the relief cock
+and drain the brass bowl of the mixing chamber.
+
+He turned the valve, and the mystery of the stoppage of the engine was
+instantly explained.
+
+Sand had been placed in the carburetor by persons whom Frank had little
+difficulty in mentally identifying.
+
+“So that was what those rascals did!” he cried aloud. “No wonder we
+couldn’t find anything the trouble with the ship. They were too foxy for
+that, and could hardly have found a better way of injuring the _Sea
+Eagle_ than to do that.”
+
+“Is there any way of fixing the damage?” asked Dr. Perkins, who, with
+Harry, had hastened to Frank’s side as he cried out over his discovery.
+
+“Yes. Thank goodness, we’ve got a spare carburetor on board, for it
+would take a week to clean out this. If no sand has got into the
+cylinders I think I can promise to get things going again before very
+long.”
+
+Out of the locker in which the spare parts were kept Frank produced
+another carburetor. But unscrewing the feed pipe and taking off the old
+mixing chamber and adjusting the new one were tedious tasks, especially
+under the circumstances in which Frank was compelled to work. But at
+last it was done, and with a beating heart Frank adjusted the
+self-starter. A few seconds now would decide their fate.
+
+Harry shivered in anticipation of failure as his brother, having got the
+engine going by the just mentioned appliance, turned on the gasolene and
+spark.
+
+For a breathless instant their fate hung in the balance, and then there
+came the welcome sound of the exhaust. Bit by bit Frank allowed the
+speed to increase, till the engine was running at its full capacity of
+revolutions. But the propellers were not turning, as before testing the
+motor he had thrown the clutch out of gear.
+
+“I think that we can try to rise now,” he said calmly, after the motor
+had run without a miss or a skip for ten minutes or so.
+
+“I think so, too,” said Dr. Perkins, “and I want to tell you, Frank,
+that you have done what I would not have believed possible under the
+conditions.”
+
+Another anxious moment followed when the clutch was thrown in and the
+full load of the propellers came upon the engine. But not a hitch
+occurred. The large-bladed driving fans of the _Sea Eagle_ beat the air
+rapidly and surely, and the hydroplane-formed underbody began to glide
+over the tops of the waves, instead of rolling and pitching helplessly
+among them. To the westward, too, there showed a patch of lighter sky,
+heralding the passing of the storm.
+
+But, as if unwilling to allow them to escape without again bringing
+their hearts into their mouths, the storm had one more buffeting to give
+them. As full power was applied, and the _Sea Eagle_ rose above the
+tossing wave crests and headed slantingly skyward, there came a sudden
+puff of wind.
+
+Skillful as Dr. Perkins was, it caught him momentarily unprepared. In
+the wink of an eye the _Sea Eagle_ careened over, almost on her “beam
+ends.” It seemed as if the right hand wing tips actually touched the
+water. One inch more and there might have been an abrupt conclusion to
+this story, but Dr. Perkins’ hands seemed to be everywhere at once. They
+flashed among levers and wheels.
+
+For the space of a breath the _Sea Eagle_ hung almost vertically, and
+then the big craft suddenly righted and shot upward on an even keel once
+more. But the moment had been an awful one, and as they winged their way
+upward not one aboard was there but felt that they had been delivered
+from a dreadful fate by what might well be described as a miracle.
+
+[Illustration: ONE INCH MORE AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ABRUPT
+CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.—A RACE TO CLOUDLAND.
+
+
+Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted
+during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time
+beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead. In fact, it appeared to the
+boys that they actually outflew the wind. At any rate, it was not long
+before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them
+that they were close to the shore.
+
+An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins
+began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land. He soon spied
+a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far
+from the center of the city. Calling to Frank to “stand by” the engines,
+he began to descend in a series of circles.
+
+Coming to earth in a high wind is a risky bit of business for the air
+man, about as dangerous a maneuver, in fact, as can be imagined. But in
+this case there was no choice for Dr. Perkins and his young friends,
+unless they wanted to be carried clear across the cape and into Delaware
+Bay.
+
+Below them they could now see excited crowds racing toward the
+ball-ground, as soon as it became evident that that was the spot where
+the air men intended to alight. This did not please Dr. Perkins at all.
+A crowd was the last thing that he wished to have about when he made his
+drop earthward. But there was no help for it, and he kept on descending,
+trusting to the good sense of the throngs below to get out of the way
+when the time came.
+
+But crowds have never been remarkable for their common sense, and this
+one was no exception. The last “bank” had been made with safety, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ was making a clean-cut swoop to earth, when the crowd rushed
+in right below her. To have kept the craft on its course would have
+meant much injury, and possible loss of life. On the other hand, Dr.
+Perkins knew that in the wind that was blowing it would be dangerous in
+the extreme to the air craft to change her course.
+
+“Get out of the way!” he shouted.
+
+“Out of the way unless you want to get hurt!” yelled Frank and Harry.
+
+But the crowd, like foolish sheep, only stared and gaped, and made not
+the slightest effort to avoid the on-driving _Sea Eagle_.
+
+There was only one thing to do, and Dr. Perkins did it. There was a
+quick twist of his steering wheel, and the _Sea Eagle_, instantly
+obeying her helm, darted off in an opposite direction to the one in
+which she had been advancing. Like a flash Dr. Perkins pulled the rising
+lever, at the same time shouting to Frank to stop the engines
+momentarily. He thought that the _Sea Eagle_ would rise of her own
+volition, and knew that if the engines kept driving at top speed that
+his craft would be plunged prow first into the earth.
+
+So he chose the lesser of the two evils, and the maneuver might have
+been successful but for one thing. There was not room in which to
+execute it.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ hesitated, half rose, and then crashed down to the
+ground, landing heavily on one wing tip and smashing it to bits. Frank
+and Harry were pitched clean out of the hydroplane substructure when the
+impact came, and a cry of alarm went up from the crowd. But Dr. Perkins
+clung to his seat and brought the big craft to a stop.
+
+Fortunately neither Frank nor Harry had been much injured, beyond being
+badly shaken up and bruised, and they were both on their feet again in a
+jiffy after the accident. The crowd, as if realizing that its actions
+had had a good deal to do with the accident, forebore to press in, and
+they made their way to Dr. Perkins’ side without difficulty.
+
+“Is she much injured?” was Frank’s first question.
+
+“By good luck I think we have escaped serious damage,” rejoined Dr.
+Perkins, “but only an examination can tell.”
+
+At this moment a well-dressed, prosperous-looking man came elbowing
+through the crowd. He came straight up to Dr. Perkins with hand
+extended.
+
+“Well, Perkins!” he exclaimed. “I always told you you’d have a tumble
+some time, and now you’ve had it; right in my back yard, too. But I’m
+sincerely glad to see that neither you nor your machine appears to be
+much injured.”
+
+The newcomer was Mr. James Studley, an old acquaintance of the
+inventor’s, who was summering at Cape May. The doctor was very glad to
+see him and accepted his cordial invitation to spend the night at his
+house, the boys, of course, being included in the invitation.
+
+In the meantime, a squadron of police had arrived, who drove back the
+crowds, and arrangements were made to keep a guard on duty all night
+till an examination of the wrecked machine could be made.
+
+“The accident, if it had to happen, could not have occurred more
+conveniently, so to speak,” Dr. Perkins confided to his companions as
+they followed Mr. Studley to a handsome house not far away. “Mr. Studley
+is a manufacturer of aëroplanes, and has started a factory here, so that
+very probably we can get material to repair our damages without much
+trouble.”
+
+This was good news indeed to the boys, who had begun to fear that the
+trip might be abandoned.
+
+They enjoyed a good dinner and a change into dry clothes as the guests
+of Mr. Studley and his wife, and bright and early the next morning
+repairs were made to the splintered wing tip, which was not so badly
+damaged as had at first appeared. Mr. Studley, who had provided workmen
+and materials for the task from his aëroplane factory, refused to hear
+of any compensation.
+
+“Such services should be rendered freely and gladly by one birdman to
+another,” he declared laughingly. “Who knows that some day I may not
+drop in on you at your island, in more senses than one.”
+
+As every trace of the storm had vanished, and the morning was bright and
+clear, no obstacle opposed itself to the continuance of their journey as
+soon as the repairs had been completed. So fine was the weather, in
+fact, that Mr. Studley declared his intention of accompanying them in a
+light “runabout” aëroplane of the monoplane class, for a short distance.
+
+The machine, a pretty little affair of the Bleriot type, was soon
+wheeled out, and Mr. Studley declared all was ready for the start. As on
+the evening before, a large crowd had gathered, but the police kept them
+back, and gave the two vastly different aëroplanes a clear field in
+which to rise. A greater contrast could not well be imagined than that
+presented by the heavy, rather cumbersome-looking _Sea Eagle_ with her
+substantial underbody and huge wing spread, and the trim, dainty little
+monoplane, which was named the _Green Firefly_.
+
+“We’re all ready when you are,” exclaimed Dr. Perkins, turning to his
+friend, who was already seated in his long-bodied, gauzy-winged air
+craft.
+
+“All right! Clear the way!” cried Mr. Studley with a wave of his hands.
+
+His mechanics gave the propeller of the monoplane a twirl, as it was not
+provided with self-starting mechanism, and a moment later the roaring
+fusillade of the _Sea Eagle’s_ motor was drowning the sharp, angry,
+hornet-like buzzing of the _Green Firefly_.
+
+“Go!” yelled Mr. Studley, and simultaneously, as it seemed, the two sky
+ships dashed forward over the smooth sward.
+
+“Hooray!” shouted the crowd.
+
+“They’re off!” shouted others.
+
+And then, a minute later:
+
+“Look! They’re going up!”
+
+“So they are!” cried the spectators, as if there was any room for doubt
+about the matter.
+
+The light _Firefly_ was first, by the fraction of a second, to point her
+sharp nose up toward the tranquil blue dome of the sky. But the _Sea
+Eagle_ was not tardy in following.
+
+“Come on!” shouted Mr. Studley, casting a swift glance back over his
+shoulder at his large comrade of the air. He appeared to think that he
+would have little difficulty in distancing the huge machine.
+
+“We haven’t begun yet!” cried Dr. Perkins back to him, with an answering
+wave of the hand.
+
+Nor was the _Sea Eagle_ as yet making a quarter of the speed she was
+capable of. On account of her great weight, and general size of her wing
+spread, it was not advisable to “open everything up” at once when she
+made an ascent from the land.
+
+The _Firefly_ darted ahead like some creature that rejoiced to be
+sporting in its element. But close behind came a roar and whirr as Frank
+let out another notch on the _Sea Eagle_. Up and up they flew, while the
+crowd below dwindled to pigmies, and the houses looked like so many toy
+Noah’s Arks. It was plain enough that Mr. Studley was engaged in a
+good-natured effort to show his friend that the _Firefly_ was an
+infinitely faster craft than her cumbersome rival. He darted this way
+and that, making spirals and doing rocking-chair evolutions with the
+perfection of aërial grace.
+
+Dr. Perkins attempted none of these stunts, but from time to time he
+turned back to Frank and nodded as a signal to give the craft a little
+more power.
+
+By the time the twin propellers were developing their top push and
+speed, the owner of the _Firefly_ realized that he had a tussle on his
+hands. He ceased his graceful evolutions and settled down to real
+flying. But he had not gone a mile over the aërial race track before the
+_Sea Eagle_ thundered past him like a “Limited” of the skies.
+
+“Good-by and thank you!” Dr. Perkins found time to yell, as they flashed
+past, bound due south once more.
+
+“Good-by. Good luck to you!” came from Mr. Studley, as he waved his hand
+in the realization that he was beaten.
+
+There was no time to exchange more words. In a few minutes the boys,
+looking back, could only see a black speck like a shoe button against
+the sky to mark where the defeated _Firefly_ was turning about and
+heading for home.
+
+As for the _Sea Eagle_, at sixty miles an hour, and with her motor going
+faster every minute, that staunch and speedy craft was winging her way
+at top speed for her distant goal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.—THE BOY AVIATORS’ PLUCK.
+
+
+But it was almost a week later that the 1,400 odd miles down the coast
+to Fernandina, Florida, and from thence overland to the Crescent City,
+were completed. Storms and minor accidents spun out the voyage to this
+length, although Dr. Perkins had calculated on making a faster run. In
+fact, his aim had been to make about 500 miles a day, with night flights
+to help out, if possible.
+
+Many interesting incidents, which it would require another volume to
+chronicle in detail, marked the trip. Off Savannah the _Sea Eagle_ towed
+a disabled motor boat, containing a pleasure party, into port, and a
+short time later flew above the Atlantic squadron of the United States
+fleet bound south for target practice. Aërial greetings were exchanged
+by wireless between the _Sea Eagle_ and Uncle Sam’s bulldogs of the
+ocean.
+
+The next day the _Sea Eagle_ was once more enabled to render aërial
+ambulance service by taking an injured keeper from a lighthouse off
+Fernandina into port, and arranging for a substitute to be sent out at
+once. At every city they stopped they received a great reception, for by
+this time the flight of the _Sea Eagle_ had received the attention of
+the country through the medium of the newspapers.
+
+Possibly one incident may be worth chronicling in more detail. This
+occurred when, a short time after rising for a night flight from Eufala,
+Alabama, to the Mississippi State line, Frank descried, through some
+trees, what he thought was the rising moon.
+
+“That’s the funniest-looking moon I ever saw,” declared Harry, who
+happened to be doing duty as engineer.
+
+“Why, what’s the matter with it?” demanded Frank.
+
+“Why, it’s red.”
+
+“Probably caused by the mist from some marshlands,” decided Dr. Perkins,
+who was resting, while Frank guided the _Sea Eagle_, at which he had
+become quite expert. But the next moment he changed his opinion.
+
+“It isn’t the moon at all. It’s the glare from a fire, and a big one,
+too. Let’s hurry up, boys.”
+
+Neither Frank nor Harry needed any urging, and the _Sea Eagle_ was soon
+traversing the air so fast that the wind sang in their ears. As they
+raced along the glare grew brighter and angrier, glowing with a lambent
+red core from which flames could be seen leaping skyward like a nest of
+fiery serpents.
+
+A few minutes brought them into full view of the conflagration. It
+proved to be a fine old farm-house. The front of the place was a mass of
+flame, and the blaze appeared to be bursting through the roof. Men could
+be seen running about the grounds like a nest of disturbed ants, and
+others were hastening on foot, in autos and in buggies, from every
+direction.
+
+Nobody paid any attention to the oncoming aëroplane in the excitement,
+and when it dropped to earth on the lawn in front of the blazing
+building, there was the liveliest sort of confusion. Some of the farmers
+did not know what to make of the visitor from the skies, but their more
+enlightened neighbors soon informed them, and recalled the newspaper
+accounts they had read of the _Sea Eagle’s_ great flight.
+
+“Anybody in the building?” shouted Frank, jumping from the _Sea Eagle_
+as the craft came to a standstill.
+
+Nobody answered for a moment, but suddenly, from the back of the
+building, came a piercing scream.
+
+“Help! Help!”
+
+“Goodness, that’s a woman calling!” exclaimed Frank. “Come on, Harry.”
+
+Both boys dashed round to the rear of the blazing mansion, and there, at
+a third-story window, they saw a woman with a baby in her arms, leaning
+out and frantically calling for help.
+
+“Get a ladder!” shouted Frank.
+
+“No time to hunt for it,” cried Harry. “We’ll have to try another way.”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“See the flat roof of that coach house over there? If we had a board we
+could make a bridge from it to the window.”
+
+“But how are we to get to the roof of the coach house?”
+
+“Fly there.”
+
+“What! in the _Sea Eagle_?”
+
+“Why not? The roof is flat and big enough to give us room to land if we
+are careful.”
+
+“Cracky! I think you’re right. Has anybody got a board?”
+
+“Here you are,” exclaimed a man who had darted off to a lumber pile when
+he overheard Harry’s plan.
+
+“Good! I think this will be long enough. Come on, Harry, let’s lose no
+time. See, the flames are almost at that part of the house.”
+
+At top speed the two boys ran back to the _Sea Eagle_, calling to Dr.
+Perkins to join them. Hastily they explained what they meant to do. Dr.
+Perkins was inclined to doubt if the plan was feasible, but as it
+appeared to be the only way to save the woman and the child, he agreed
+to attempt it, grave though the risk of disaster to the _Sea Eagle_
+appeared to be.
+
+While the excited men gathered about, and the woman’s cries still filled
+the air, the _Sea Eagle_ was started up, and after circling about,
+dropped to the coach house roof. The big craft landed without mishap,
+but Frank reversed the engines barely in time to prevent her from
+rolling off. However, with the front wheels of the substructure on the
+very brink of the cornice, the _Sea Eagle_ came obediently to a
+standstill.
+
+They had brought the board with them, and it was shoved across to the
+woman, who saw at once what they intended to do. She secured it to the
+ledge of the window at which she had been standing, and Frank worked his
+way across the plank bridge and took the child in his arms. He recrossed
+in safety with it, and then came the woman’s turn to trust herself to
+the frail bridge. But she hesitated till smoke was pouring into the
+room, and then, fairly driven to try the slender support, she began to
+cross it.
+
+From the coach house roof the boys called encouragingly to her, for the
+plank was far too weak to bear the weight of two persons. Even under
+Frank and the baby it had sagged ominously. Something in the woman’s
+face as she neared the end of her journey caused Frank to reach out
+toward her. It was well that he had the foresight to do so, for as she
+reached the end of her journey she suddenly fainted.
+
+Another instant and she would have fallen forty feet to the ground, but
+Frank caught her dress in a strong grip. Luckily, it was of stout
+material and did not rip as he seized it. Dr. Perkins and Harry came to
+his aid the next minute, and with their united strength they managed to
+draw the woman’s limp form to safety.
+
+Hardly had they done so before the flames began breaking out fiercely
+from the back of the house, and, driven by the strong wind, they were
+uncomfortably close to the coach house roof. No time was lost in placing
+the woman and her infant in the _Sea Eagle_, after which the air craft
+was started. Dr. Perkins rose to a suitable height from which to make a
+safe descent, and then swept down to the ground, carrying the first
+woman and child in the history of the world to be saved from a blazing
+building by aëroplane.
+
+The woman soon recovered after some friends of the neighborhood had
+taken her and her child to a nearby dwelling.
+
+The owner of the building, and the husband of the woman who had been so
+bravely rescued, now came bustling up, his face beaming with gratitude.
+At the moment he was not thinking of the fire but of the brave strangers
+from the sky who had saved his wife and child.
+
+“I don’t know who you are, or where you came from,” he exclaimed, “but
+you literally dropped from the skies when all hope appeared lost. I was
+in town buying stock, and on my way out I saw the flames coming from my
+home. Knowing my wife and child had retired I dreaded to think what
+would have happened if they had not been aroused. I arrived here in time
+to find my worst fears realized. How can I ever thank you for what you
+have done?”
+
+“Oh, we only tried to do what we could,” said Frank modestly; “we saw
+the fire and came down to see if we couldn’t help.”
+
+“I owe the lives of my wife and child to your quickness and courage, and
+that wonderful airship of yours,” vehemently declared the man, whose
+name was Winfield Thomas, a wealthy farmer. “It was a real blessing you
+happened along as you did.”
+
+Dr. Perkins and the boys could only repeat how glad they were to have
+done what they could. Without waiting much longer, except to
+congratulate Mrs. Thomas on her quick recovery, and to express the hope
+that she would feel no bad effects from her experience, the voyage was
+shortly resumed. But the adventure at the burning farm house long
+remained in the boys’ memory, and strengthened their attachment to the
+_Sea Eagle_.
+
+Nearing New Orleans they caught a wireless message from Billy Barnes
+telling them that he had secured quarters for the _Sea Eagle_ in
+Algiers, a suburb across the river from the city. That night one stage
+of the trip was concluded when, in answer to a signal given with a blue
+lamp, they dropped into a field on the outskirts of Algiers and housed
+the _Sea Eagle_ in a large barn.
+
+“Thunder and turtles!” cried Pudge when that night in the St. Charles
+Hotel they were relating their adventures. “You fellows have all the fun
+and we do all the work.”
+
+“Never mind, Pudge,” said Frank; “I guess we’ll have adventures in
+plenty ahead of us when we try to locate the wreck of the _Belle of New
+Orleans_.”
+
+“Which will be as soon as possible,” said Dr. Perkins. “Our trip has
+taken us longer than I anticipated, and there is a strong chance that
+Duval may have got ahead of us.”
+
+“There’s another reason for hurrying,” declared Billy, who had just
+wired to his paper a long account of the _Sea Eagle’s_ trip; “they say
+that the river is rising. There have been unprecedented rainstorms and
+the levees are weakening. Negroes are at work on them all along the
+line, but they doubt if they can make them hold if the river keeps
+rising.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.—CAPTURED BY AËROPLANE.
+
+
+During the short time that they had been in the city Ben Stubbs and his
+two young companions had done wonders in the way of collecting equipment
+for the purpose of rifling the treasure which it was expected lay in the
+submerged hulk of the _Belle of New Orleans_. A diving suit with pumping
+apparatus of the latest type, blocks and tackles and hand spikes were
+among the things laid in stock. Ben had also invested in a new device, a
+submarine searchlight. The choice of this last was warmly approved by
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+“I was wondering how it would be possible to find one’s way about the
+sunken ship without some such article,” he said approvingly, and old
+Ben’s rugged face glowed with satisfaction.
+
+“Trust an old timer, sir, for remembering those things,” he said.
+
+“Indeed, nobody could have selected a more complete outfit,” rejoined
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+The inventory of the goods was taken the next morning, and hiring a boat
+the stuff was transported to Algiers, where the _Sea Eagle_ had been
+looked after over night by a couple of darkies.
+
+As they crossed the river in a hired boat they noticed how swiftly the
+current ran and how discolored it was. The negro who rowed them
+commented on it, too.
+
+“Dey be po’ful big flood befo’ long, genelmen,” he opined, “an’ when ole
+man Mississip’ git up on his hind lags ain’t nuffin’ kin stop him. Dem
+lebees dey go jes lak so much straw er hay.”
+
+“All the more reason for our making haste,” said Dr. Perkins, addressing
+the others; “it would be hard fortune indeed if Ben were to be robbed of
+his fortune by a flood.”
+
+The shed which had sheltered the _Sea Eagle_ overnight was close to the
+water’s edge so that the goods were soon transported on board. All was
+found to be in good shape, and the two darkies, who had watched the air
+craft overnight, received an extra gratuity for their pains. The
+adventurers had been particular not to give out any details of their
+flight, and it was expected that they would stay in New Orleans for some
+days before proceeding, so that no curious crowd, only a few negroes and
+stragglers, were on hand to see them start.
+
+Dr. Perkins had an excellent chart of the river, showing distinctly the
+location of Black Bayou, which lay back from the river amidst a maze of
+other wriggly creeks and water courses. The _Belle of New Orleans_ had
+been on her way to a “far back” plantation to pick up cotton, when she
+blew up, which accounted for the wreck being submerged in such an out of
+the way place.
+
+As they flew along the river, but far above it, they could see human
+beings, busy as ants, working along the levees, strengthening them
+against the dreaded floods which already had devastated whole sections
+of country in Ohio and farther up the mighty stream. At length the
+course of the _Sea Eagle_ was changed till she was flying over a perfect
+maze of water courses and bayous, winding in and out of a dense forest.
+From above, it looked like a lace work of water overlying a piece of
+dark green plush.
+
+But the map showed a landmark for Black Bayou. Harry’s plan was marked
+“Ruined plantation house and sugar mill.” Frank was the first to spy out
+this important “bearing.” The _Sea Eagle_ was at that time not very far
+up, and the gaunt walls and desolate overgrown buildings of the once
+prosperous place could be seen clearly. “Giant cypress with three
+forks,” was the next marking, and, sure enough, on a little patch of an
+island, not far from the ruined plantation, they presently saw a gaunt
+dead tree answering this description.
+
+“Bayous and bullfrogs! We’re getting hot now!” cried Pudge excitedly.
+“Ben, I believe that that rascal was telling the truth after all.”
+
+“I’m inclined to think so, too, Master Pudge,” rejoined Ben; “and
+look—look there—that must be the Catfish Island marked on the plan. See,
+it’s just the shape of one of them critters.”
+
+“So it is, Ben,” cried Frank, peering down. “Goodness, this _is_
+exciting, though. Just think, in a short time we shall know if our
+flight for a fortune is——”
+
+“A fizzle or not,” interrupted the slangy Pudge.
+
+“Right off Catfish Island two points to the north,” read out Harry.
+
+Dr. Perkins glanced at the compass and slightly altered the direction of
+the _Sea Eagle;_ then he allowed the great craft to drop gently to rest
+on the waters of Black Bayou.
+
+Harry referred to the plan again.
+
+“North a hundred yards to the Lone Pine Island.”
+
+“There it is,” cried Frank, indicating a small spot of land on which a
+dead pine reared its bare trunk.
+
+Hardly had he spoken when a canoe shot round a bend in a small bayou
+just ahead of them, and a wild-looking man, who had been paddling it,
+checked his frail craft. His unkempt whiskers covered him almost to his
+waist, and his clothes were ragged to a degree. But none of them thought
+of this as the swamp dweller so unexpectedly came into view.
+
+“Is this the Black Bayou?” they cried almost in chorus.
+
+The other nodded and stared wildly and half in alarm at the
+strange-looking craft that confronted him.
+
+“_Oui!_ Thees Black Bayou,” he rejoined in soft, broken accents; “what
+you want, eh?”
+
+“Did you ever hear tell of the _Belle of New Orleans?_” asked Ben, in a
+voice that shook with suppressed excitement.
+
+To his astonishment the Acadian—for the weird figure in the boat was one
+of those strange dwellers of the cypress swamps—burst into a loud laugh.
+
+“Oh ho! Oh ho!” he cackled; “what you want wid zee _Belle of New
+Orleans_, eh? What you want weez her?”
+
+Ben hesitated, and before he could reply the other burst into another
+weird cackling laugh, and held up a small object.
+
+“You want zee pearl, zee gold, hey? Zey all gone! See, I have one. Zee
+men who come here two day ago give it me for help zem. Adieu!”
+
+Before anybody on the _Sea Eagle_ could utter a word the fellow gave a
+deft stroke of his paddle and his canoe shot off into the trackless
+paths of the swamps.
+
+“Well, what under the sun!” burst out Frank, while Pudge weakly
+ejaculated:
+
+“Centipedes and spongecakes!”
+
+“It’s all clear enough,” exclaimed Ben bitterly. “Those ruffians got
+ahead of us. That ’Cadian took them to the scene of the wreck and
+they’ve rifled it.”
+
+“That was undoubtedly a black pearl he held up,” said Dr. Perkins in a
+faint voice. “I suppose they gave him that for guiding them here.”
+
+The sudden shriek of a high-crested kingfisher made them look up
+suddenly. The bird was darting from tree to tree on an island at a
+little distance. Suddenly something that lay at the foot of a tree
+caught Ben’s sharp eyes.
+
+“What’s that? That glittering thing yonder?” he exclaimed, pointing.
+
+“Easy enough to see,” said Dr. Perkins, starting up the _Sea Eagle_ for
+the little island.
+
+“It’s a diving helmet!” cried Frank as they drew closer to the object,
+“just look, the rascals must have left it there after they got the
+treasure out of the sunken wreck. I guess they thought that as they were
+so rich they need not bother with it.”
+
+They landed on the island as disconsolate and downcast a band of
+treasure hunters as ever set foot on the site of a treasure trove.
+Abundant evidences of a camp were all about them. The ashes of a fire,
+and scraps of food and paper. One of these caught Frank’s attention. It
+was a fragment of newspaper, and what had challenged Frank’s notice was
+that a band of red ink had been drawn around some printing on it. Frank
+read the marked portion with a somewhat vague curiosity. For the moment
+he did not realize what an important clew he had stumbled upon. Then it
+rushed upon him with full force.
+
+Ben and the others were on the shore of the island pointing down into
+the muddy waters of the bayou.
+
+The earth was trampled in the vicinity, and showed plainly that the
+miscreants who had stolen the treasure had carried on their operations
+from that point of the bank.
+
+“Down thar somewhar’ lies the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_,” said
+Ben, shaking his head dolefully, and pointing into the black current;
+“but it ain’t going to do us no good, mates. It ain’t going to do us no
+good; them sea skunks has got ahead of us for fair.”
+
+It was at this point that Frank’s shout interrupted them.
+
+“What is it?” cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+“This paper. Come here. I think it’s a clew to where they have gone.”
+
+They crowded about him while Frank read out from the marked paper.
+
+“‘The new South American Commerce Company’s steamer _Buenos Aires_ sails
+to-morrow for the latter port. She is a fast, capable craft and will
+make a direct run to the Argentine. The inauguration of this service is
+a distinct addition to the commercial importance of New Orleans and
+establishes new trade relations with South America.’”
+
+“Very pretty,” said Ben; “but what does it prove?”
+
+“Yes, I don’t see much of a clew in that,” put in Harry.
+
+But Frank raised his hand to command silence.
+
+“Listen a minute,” he said. “Of course, I may be altogether wrong, but
+it seems to me that the reason this paragraph is marked is because those
+fellows meant to sail on this very boat.”
+
+Ben brought his hand down on his knee with a resounding whack.
+
+“By hookey, lad!” he roared; “that’s reason. That’s solid sense and
+reason.”
+
+“What is the date of that paper?” asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+“Luckily the paragraph was torn off from the top of the page,” said
+Frank, “and the date of the issue is legible. It is dated yesterday.”
+
+“Then the _Buenos Aires_ sailed this morning?”
+
+“Yes; that’s the way it looks.”
+
+“And while we are wasting time here she is heading down the river for
+the open sea,” groaned Harry.
+
+“Can’t we wireless to New Orleans and find out?” asked Pudge.
+
+“That’s a mighty good idea, Pudge,” said his father, “but the set we
+have on the _Sea Eagle_ wouldn’t carry as far as that.”
+
+“Then let’s get on board again and fly back as quickly as possible. We
+are only wasting time here,” said Frank.
+
+His suggestion was quickly acted upon, and the voyagers reëmbarked. They
+were a very different party from the pleasantly excited expedition that
+had set out that morning so full of hope and enterprise. Frank alone
+kept up his spirits. He sat constantly at the wireless as they winged
+their way back to New Orleans, incessantly trying to get into
+communication.
+
+At last he caught the operator of the Harbor Master’s office. Instantly
+he flashed his query:
+
+“Did _Buenos Aires_ sail this a. m.?”
+
+“Yes. Ship sailed early to-day.”
+
+“Where will she be now?”
+
+“About off Fort Jackson, near the mouth of the river,” came the reply.
+“She has wireless, but it is out of order, so that I can’t tell you
+exactly where she is right now.”
+
+“Thanks!” flashed Frank and disconnected.
+
+He quickly communicated his tidings, and immediately a hasty, excited
+consultation followed. The result of it was that Dr. Perkins decided to
+ground the _Sea Eagle_ in Algiers. This done, Ben would swear out a
+warrant before the most available justice, and then, if they could find
+a deputy nervy enough to make the trip, he was to be taken on board the
+_Sea Eagle_ and the _Buenos Aires_ overtaken before she got beyond the
+jurisdiction of the State.
+
+But after landing in Algiers these plans were changed. It was decided
+instead to swear out a federal warrant, as there was grave danger of the
+ship getting out of the State’s power before they could overtake her. On
+the extraordinary circumstances being related to him, the U. S.
+Commissioner at New Orleans readily granted the warrant for the arrest
+of all three of the rascals. It now remained only to find a Deputy U. S.
+Marshal courageous enough to make the trip through the air.
+
+The only one available seemed a bit doubtful.
+
+“A trip in an aëroplane!” he said. “I’ve never taken such a journey and
+I’m scared of the blessed things. You see, I’ve got a wife and family,
+and——”
+
+“Don’t be afraid. There’s really no danger, and we’ll be over water most
+of the way,” urged Dr. Perkins.
+
+The deputy seemed to come to a sudden conclusion. His eyes snapped and
+his lips tightened.
+
+“All right, I’ll go with you!” he suddenly cried. “Wait till I ’phone
+the missus and I’m your man. Those rascals played you a mean trick, and
+I’d like to see you win out.”
+
+The hearts of the adventurers gave a bound of hope. There was a chance
+of seeing justice come into its own, after all.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+The _Buenos Aires_, a fine ship of five thousand or more tons, dropped
+rapidly down the river. She had few cabin passengers, and of these only
+three were on deck. The remainder were in their cabins putting their
+belongings to rights.
+
+These three men were the elder Daniels, his loutish son and Duval. But
+they all wore smart new clothes, and Duval had shaved off his mustache.
+As for the two Daniels, it is an example of what clothes can do to say
+that they looked more like prosperous, rather countryfied commission
+dealers than rugged fishermen from Maine.
+
+“Let’s have a look at them pearls again,” Daniels was saying, after he
+had given a cautious glance about him to make sure they were not
+observed.
+
+Duval reached into his pocket and drew out a canvas bag. From it he
+poured out a number of black, lustrous objects, catching them in a
+cupped hand.
+
+“Twenty of the beauties,” he exclaimed; “twenty black pearls—the rarest
+gems that come out of the ocean.”
+
+“What are they worth again?” asked the elder Daniels, licking his lips
+anticipatively.
+
+“Thirty thousand dollars at the least.”
+
+“Jiminy! Hold me, some one!” sputtered Zeb.
+
+“And that, counting the gold dust in the cabin, makes a fortune of close
+upon seventy-five thousand dollars we got out of that old hulk, don’t
+it?”
+
+“That’s right,” answered Duval; “you fellows did a good day’s work for
+yourselves when you knocked me on the head in that hut.”
+
+“Waal, I should say so. Let’s go below and look at that gold again. I
+kin hardly keep my fingers frum touching it. We’re rich, boys, we’re
+rich!”
+
+The three worthies disappeared below after Duval had carefully replaced
+the black pearls in their bag. It was some hours later when they came up
+again and the ship was passing the Port Ead’s light.
+
+“We’re safe now,” exclaimed Duval in a low tone; “even if they do
+discover the trick we’ve put up on em, they could never catch us now. In
+another two hours we’ll be out on the gulf and by to-morrow we’ll be out
+of reach of any one in Yankeeland.”
+
+“Hulloo, what’s up astern?” asked Zeb suddenly. “What are they all
+pointing at?”
+
+“Pointing at? What do you mean?” demanded Duval, suspicious as are most
+guilty consciences of anything unusual.
+
+“Something in the sky. Hark! They are shouting!”
+
+“_Something in the sky!_”
+
+Duval’s face went white. His knees shook. By a flash of guilty intuition
+he had guessed what that something was, even if the next minute a shout
+had not split the air.
+
+“An aëroplane! It’s an aëroplane!”
+
+Duval’s knees quivered under him. He trembled like a man with the palsy.
+Old Daniels came up to him hastily.
+
+“Duval, they’ve sighted one of them airyoplanes—you don’t think——”
+
+“No, I don’t _think_. I know,” choked out Duval, “they are after us.
+Hark!”
+
+From the distance came the sound of shots high up in the air. In reply
+to the signal—for such it was—the _Buenos Aires’_ whistle emitted three
+long, mournful toots. Her engines began to slow down. As Duval felt the
+steamer’s speed check he dashed below to his cabin. As for Daniels, he
+stood rooted to the spot, his lips moving, but no speech coming from
+them. Zeb was nowhere to be seen.
+
+Up on the _Buenos Aires’_ lofty flying bridge her officers, in the
+meantime, had been almost equally excited. They had seen the aëroplane
+some time before; but as nowadays such craft are a fairly common sight,
+they had not paid overmuch attention to it. It was not till the unusual
+size of the craft was revealed that they scrutinized it closely.
+
+Then, as the big winged man-bird swung above the steamer’s masts, had
+come the quick six pistol shots. An imperative signal, rightly
+interpreted “Stop!”
+
+The whistle had replied and the vessel’s way been checked as the
+jangling signals sounded in the engine-room, and “Slow down” flashed up
+on the telegraph.
+
+“What do you want?” hailed the captain through a megaphone, as the _Sea
+Eagle_—for of course our readers have guessed the identity of the craft
+of the air—swung above him.
+
+“We want to board you with a United States warrant!” came the startling
+reply from midair.
+
+“A warrant! For some of my passengers?”
+
+“Yes; for three men whom we have reason to believe booked passage as
+Daniel Maine and son and another one who calls himself Francis Le
+Blanc.”
+
+“I have three such men on board and recognize the authority of the
+United States. How will you board me?”
+
+“We’ll come alongside.”
+
+The captain looked as if he didn’t understand how this was going to be
+done, but gave orders to stop the ship, drop anchor and lower the
+gangway. This was done, and the _Sea Eagle_ dropped to the water
+alongside with perfect precision. In the meantime, the wildest
+excitement reigned on board. Rumors flew thick and fast as to the errand
+of the men from the air.
+
+Lest it should be wondered how Dr. Perkins and his companions knew the
+names under which the three rascals had sailed, we had better clear this
+matter up. Before embarking in the _Sea Eagle_ in pursuit of the _Buenos
+Aires_, a passenger list had been obtained from the offices of the
+steamship company. It will be recalled that Francis Le Blanc was the
+alias, or false name, which Duval had used when in the employ of Mr.
+Sterrett on the yacht _Wanderer_. This gave them a clew, and when they
+came across the names Daniel Maine and son, booked for an adjoining
+cabin, there remained small doubt that those names concealed the two
+Daniels.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was soon made fast, and Marshal Howell, followed by Dr.
+Perkins and the two Boy Aviators, sprang up the gangway. The others they
+had been compelled to leave behind, as, with the three prisoners to
+carry back, the _Sea Eagle_ would have been overcrowded.
+
+As they reached the top of the gangway Captain Stow and his officers
+advanced to meet them.
+
+“To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?” asked the seaman.
+
+The marshal showed his authority and his warrant.
+
+“We don’t wish to detain you longer than necessary, captain,” he said,
+“so will you have us shown to their cabins?”
+
+The captain himself led the way below, and conducted them down a
+corridor to the stern of the ship. As they reached the end of the
+passage a door was thrust suddenly open and a bullet whizzed past
+Frank’s head. At the same instant Zeb’s figure appeared in the doorway.
+
+But before he could fire another shot the marshal had wrested the pistol
+from him and burst into the cabin. Frank was close behind him. At a port
+hole was Duval; he had something in his hand and was just about to hurl
+it out of the port hole, when Frank, in one bound, was at his side and
+had his arm captive. With a snarl like a wounded wild beast Duval turned
+on him, whipping out a knife as he did so. But before any harm could be
+done, Dr. Perkins seized and disarmed him.
+
+It was speedily found that the bag which Frank had saved was the one
+containing the black pearls which Duval, in his extremity, had
+determined to throw away rather than let any one else gain their
+possession. The Marshal slipped the handcuffs on Zeb and Duval, who
+submitted sullenly to arrest. It was not till then that their thoughts
+turned to the elder Daniels. He was not in his cabin, and search of the
+ship failed to reveal him. The mystery was soon to be explained,
+however.
+
+A boat with a colored oarsman had been lying alongside the steamer
+waiting to take off the pilot. In the confusion old Daniels had opened
+the bag of gold dust, selected a packet, and, dropping into the boat,
+told the negro to row him ashore to secure help for the officers. The
+negro naturally supposed that he was acting under proper instructions,
+and put the old fisherman ashore. He was never heard of again.
+
+Zeb and Duval sullenly refused to utter a word, but ultimately, after
+their return to New Orleans, Frank had an interview with Duval in his
+prison cell, in which he made a clean breast of everything. From
+Bayhaven they had hastened south by fast trains, stopping on the way to
+buy diving dress. The Acadian whom the boys had encountered in the
+swamps had guided them to the scene of the wreck, receiving one black
+pearl as his reward.
+
+Of the voyage back from the _Buenos Aires_ with the two prisoners not
+much can be said. It was made at a good rate of speed, and both Duval
+and Zeb were docile. Indeed, there was no use in their being otherwise.
+On account of his youth and the pleadings of Dr. Perkins and the boys,
+Zeb got a light sentence in a reformatory institution, and it is hoped
+that he will prove a far better character when he gets out. Duval was
+more severely dealt with, but even he got off more lightly than he
+deserved, thanks to the clemency of the people he had wronged.
+
+And so ends the story of the Boy Aviators’ Flight for a Fortune in the
+most wonderful aëroplane constructed up to date. But no doubt, in the
+rapid march of events, even the _Sea Eagle_ will soon be surpassed.
+Already, while this book goes to press, plans are being made by no less
+than four separate aviators to dare the terrors of a transatlantic
+passage. Whether they will succeed or not is in the lap of the future,
+but the author is certain that some day flights across “The Pond” at
+seventy or eighty miles an hour will be so common as to attract but
+small attention.
+
+Some of my readers doubtless wish to know how Ben disposed of his
+fortune. Well, part of it he wisely invested in real estate, and the
+rest he is thinking of putting into the company Dr. Perkins has formed
+to manufacture _Sea Eagles_. Mr. Sterrett is a member of the company,
+and so are the Boy Aviators. Naturally Ben’s keen wish to have them
+share some of his good fortune was refused, for, as we know, the Boy
+Aviators’ adventures in the past had netted them a good share of this
+world’s goods. Billy Barnes is publicity agent at a good salary for the
+_Sea Eagle_ Company, Ltd., and the work just suits his tastes. As for
+Pudge, he is as hard a worker as anybody at the plant on Brig Island,
+learning the business “from the bottom up.”
+
+And so, wishing them well in their future undertakings, we will here
+take leave for the present of our friends, until we hear of them again
+in the next volume, entitled “The Boy Aviators with the Air Raiders.”
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+The Boy Aviators in Nicaragua
+
+Or, Leagued With Insurgents
+
+  The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the
+  inauguration of a new era in boys’ books—the “wonders of modern
+  science” epoch. Frank and Harry Chester, the Boy Aviators, are the
+  heroes of this exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and
+  land in the turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers
+  with their $10,000 prize aeroplane, the Golden Eagle, rescue a chum
+  from death in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost
+  treasure valley of the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost
+  lose their own lives in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have
+  many other exciting experiences, including being blown far out to
+  sea in their air-skimmer in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to
+  divulge the part that wireless plays in rescuing them from their
+  predicament. In a brand new field of fiction for boys the Chester
+  brothers and their aeroplane seem destined to fill a top-notch
+  place. These books are technically correct, wholesomely thrilling
+  and geared up to third speed.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+Or, Working With Wireless
+
+  In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the
+  Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting
+  chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting
+  experiences on Uncle Sam’s service in a novel field. One must read
+  this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get
+  an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest
+  inventions of modern times—the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy.
+  While gripping and holding the reader’s breathless attention from
+  the opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the
+  same time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have
+  already made friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their “bunch”
+  know, there are few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they
+  may seem at first blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot
+  overcome with flying colors. A clean-cut, real boys’ book of high
+  voltage.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail
+
+In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the
+American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old friends,
+the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa—the Dark
+Continent—the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, their
+voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious forests and
+unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, for the first
+time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York millionaire, who proved
+later such an implacable enemy of the boys. The story of his defeated
+schemes, of the astonishing things the boys discovered in the Mountains
+of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of George Desmond, the emulator of
+Stanley, the adventure of the Flying Men and the discovery of the
+Arabian Ivory cache,—this is not the place to speak. It would be
+spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to reveal the outcome of all these
+episodes here. It may be said, however, without “giving away” any of the
+thrilling chapters of this narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the
+author, is in it in his best vein, and from his personal experiences in
+Africa has been able to supply a striking background for the adventures
+of his young heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: “Here is
+adventure in good measure, pressed down and running over.”
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST
+
+Or, The Golden Galleon
+
+Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden
+treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold
+that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is
+well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to
+the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the development
+of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure hunting in the
+region of the Gulf Stream and the Sargasso Sea. An aeroplane fitted with
+efficient pontoons—enabling her to skim the water successfully—has long
+been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys seem to have solved the
+problem. The Sargasso that strange drifting ocean within an ocean,
+holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of ages, in its relentless
+grip, has been the subject of many books of adventure and mystery, but
+in none has the secret of the ever shifting mass of treacherous currents
+been penetrated as it has in the BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther
+Barr, whom it seemed the boys had shaken off, is still on their trail,
+in this absorbing book and with a dirigible balloon, essays to beat them
+out in their search for the Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man—and
+woman and girl—who has ever felt the stirring summons of adventure in
+their souls, had better get hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be
+read and re-read till it falls to rags.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+Or, The Rival Aeroplane
+
+The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor—an attempt to capture a
+newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these lines
+are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast by one
+of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, the
+boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make the
+dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals for the
+rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to circumvent the
+lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. In this they stop
+short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and resources of the Boy
+Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the adventures encountered in
+their cross-country flight, the boys fall in with a band of rollicking
+cowboys—who momentarily threaten serious trouble—are attacked by
+Indians, strike the most remarkable town of the desert—the “dry” town of
+“Gow Wells,” encounter a sandstorm which blows them into strange lands
+far to the south of their course, and meet with several amusing mishaps
+beside. A thoroughly readable book. The sort to take out behind the barn
+on the sunny side of the haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples
+and your heels kicking the air, pass happy hours with Captain Lawton’s
+young heroes.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH
+
+Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic
+
+If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar expedition
+in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate the Antarctic
+regions—hitherto only attained by a few daring explorers—you would feel
+interested, wouldn’t you? Well, in Captain Lawton’s latest book,
+concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only read absorbing adventure
+in the regions south of the eightieth parallel, but absorb much useful
+information as well. Captain Lawton introduces—besides the original
+characters of the heroes—a new creation in the person of Professor
+Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker for polar insects. The professor’s
+adventures in his quest are the cause of much merriment, and lead once
+or twice to serious predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident
+and peril from cover to cover—relieved with laughable mishaps to the
+professor—it is difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent
+reader of it wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day,
+saying: “The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack
+of the condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the—but what’s the
+use? The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than
+Captain Lawton’s previous efforts, and that’s saying a good deal. The
+aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the
+least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume.”
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY INVENTORS SERIES
+
+Stories of Skill and Ingenuity
+
+By RICHARD BONNER
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.
+
+  Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes called the instinct of
+  investigation,—favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+  creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+  mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because
+  they always “work” when put to the test.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ VANISHING GUN.
+
+  A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+  final success—this is the history of many an invention; a history in
+  which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence
+  figure. This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring
+  Boy Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and
+  which demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT.
+
+  As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+  triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately
+  valuable, and the stage for their proving and testing is again the
+  water. On the surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious
+  fun, and the story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge
+  the reader’s deepest attention.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BORDER BOYS SERIES
+
+Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series
+
+By FREMONT B. DEERING.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL.
+
+  What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios—that is the
+  problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete,
+  face in this exciting tale.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER.
+
+  Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean
+  River and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam “in
+  running the gauntlet,” and you will feel that not even the ancient
+  splendors of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic
+  action than the Border of the New.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS.
+
+  As every day is making history—faster, it is said, than ever
+  before—so books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid
+  action and accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the
+  Mexican border.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.
+
+  The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in
+  their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the
+  experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and
+  more resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in
+  connection with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES
+
+LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE
+
+By DEXTER J. FORRESTER.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS.
+
+  How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the
+  right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for
+  lively boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS.
+
+  A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken
+  Spanish galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest
+  at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot
+  and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings strange
+  adventures into the lives of the Bungalow Boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.
+
+  The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the
+  clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know
+  too much. How the Professor’s invention relieves a critical
+  situation is also an exciting incident of this book.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES.
+
+  The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes
+  and a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere
+  with the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and
+  adventure to it.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+Tales of the New Navy
+
+By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+Author of “BOY AVIATORS SERIES.”
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE.
+
+  Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+  reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+  warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+  Sam’s sailors.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER.
+
+  In this story real dangers threaten and the boys’ patriotism is
+  tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the
+  South American coast.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.
+
+  To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this story has
+  special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+  action are fascinating.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.
+
+  Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc.
+  Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however,
+  although they make daring and notable flights in the name of the
+  Government; nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of
+  their old “enemies,” who are also airmen.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+Twentieth Century Athletic Stories
+
+By MATHEW M. COLTON.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG’S VACATION.
+
+  How Frank’s summer experience with his boy friends make him into a
+  sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating, and baseball
+  contests, and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this
+  splendid story.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS.
+
+  We find among the jolly boys at Queen’s School, Frank, the
+  student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+  unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that
+  bears his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival
+  school teams are expertly described.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG’S SECOND TERM.
+
+  The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+  stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the
+  “Wee One” and the “Codfish” figure, while Frank “saves the day.”
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER.
+
+  With the same persistent determination that won him success in
+  swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the
+  art of “drop kicking,” and the Queen’s football team profits
+  thereby.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR RANGERS SERIES
+
+HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIES
+
+By MARVIN WEST.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS’ LOST MINE.
+
+  This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor
+  car in the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly
+  impossible “stunts,” and yet everything happens “in the nick of
+  time.”
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS.
+
+  Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure
+  make exciting times for the Motor Rangers—yet there is a strong
+  flavor of fun and freedom, with a typical Western mountaineer for
+  spice.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict.
+
+  The strange adventures of the sturdy craft “Nomad” and the stranger
+  experiences of the Rangers themselves with Morello’s schooner and a
+  mysterious derelict form the basis of this well-spun yarn of the
+  sea.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS’ CLOUD CRUISER.
+
+  From the “Nomad” to the “Discoverer,” from the sea to the sky, the
+  scene changes in which the Motor Rangers figure. They have
+  experiences “that never were on land or sea,” in heat and cold and
+  storm, over mountain peak and lost city, with savages and reptiles;
+  their ship of the air is attacked by huge birds of the air; they
+  survive explosion and earthquake; they even live to tell the tale!
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL AVIATORS SERIES
+
+Clean Aviation Stories
+
+By MARGARET BURNHAM.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS AND THE PHANTOM AIRSHIP.
+
+  Roy Prescott was fortunate in having a sister so clever and devoted
+  to him and his interests that they could share work and play with
+  mutual pleasure and to mutual advantage. This proved especially true
+  in relation to the manufacture and manipulation of their aeroplane,
+  and Peggy won well deserved fame for her skill and good sense as an
+  aviator. There were many stumbling-blocks in their terrestrial path
+  but they soared above them all to ultimate success.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS ON GOLDEN WINGS.
+
+  That there is a peculiar fascination about aviation that wins and
+  holds girl enthusiasts as well as boys is proved by this tale. On
+  golden wings the girl aviators rose for many an exciting flight, and
+  met strange and unexpected experiences.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS’ SKY CRUISE.
+
+  To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure. How much
+  more perilous an adventure a “sky cruise” might be is suggested by
+  the title and proved by the story itself.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS’ MOTOR BUTTERFLY.
+
+  The delicacy of flight suggested by the word “butterfly,” the
+  mechanical power implied by “motor,” the ability to, control assured
+  in the title “aviator,” all combined with the personality and
+  enthusiasm of girls themselves, make this story one for any girl or
+  other reader “to go crazy over.”
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR MAIDS SERIES
+
+Wholesome Stories of Adventure
+
+By KATHERINE STOKES.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS’ SCHOOL DAYS.
+
+  Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic
+  girl to be successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car,
+  as she did her class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time
+  did they have all together. The road over which she ran her red
+  machine had many an unexpected turning,—now it led her into peculiar
+  danger; now into contact with strange travelers; and again into
+  experiences by fire and water. But, best of all, “The Comet” never
+  failed its brave girl owner.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE.
+
+  Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times, for these
+  were companionable girls who looked upon the world as a vastly
+  interesting place full of unique adventures—and so, of course, they
+  found them.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
+
+  It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully
+  entertaining to see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is that
+  privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join the Motor
+  Maids in their first ’cross-country run.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER.
+
+  South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor could their
+  education by travel have been more wisely begun. But now a speaking
+  acquaintance with their own country enriched their anticipation of
+  an introduction to the British Isles. How they made their polite
+  American bow and how they were received on the other side is a tale
+  of interest and inspiration.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn
+
+Release Date: August 23, 2011 [EBook #37175]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRANK WAS LIFTED BY MAIN FORCE AND PLACED IN IT.--_Page
+228._]
+
+
+
+
+                           THE BOY AVIATORS'
+                          FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+                                   BY
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+                     AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS,"
+                        "DREADNOUGHT BOYS," ETC.
+
+                            _ILLUSTRATED BY_
+                           _CHARLES L. WRENN_
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1912,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+             CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+                  I. On Brig Island                          5
+                 II. The Wireless                           22
+                III. A Night Alarm                          36
+                 IV. Cut Adrift                             45
+                  V. Adventures on the Hulk                 56
+                 VI. Harry Meets an Old Friend              66
+                VII. A Puzzling Problem                     80
+               VIII. The Derelict Destroyer                 89
+                 IX. The Flight of the "Sea Eagle"          97
+                  X. "C. Q. D.!"                           112
+                 XI. "Good Luck!"                          121
+                XII. Through the Night                     129
+               XIII. A Twentieth-Century Rescue            137
+                XIV. Ben's Plan Stolen                     148
+                 XV. What Happened Ashore                  158
+                XVI. Off on the "Air Route"                170
+               XVII. An Aerial Ambulance                   180
+              XVIII. An Errand of Mercy                    189
+                XIX. Plumbo Found Wanting                  199
+                 XX. Frank's Battle                        209
+                XXI. A Rascally Trick                      219
+               XXII. Reunited!                             230
+              XXIII. Off Once More                         237
+               XXIV. A Struggle for Life                   246
+                XXV. A Race to Cloudland                   253
+               XXVI. The Boy Aviators' Pluck               264
+              XXVII. Captured by Aeroplane                 275
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.--ON BRIG ISLAND.
+
+
+The sharp bow of Zenas Daniels' green and red dory grazed the yellow
+beach on the west shore of Brig Island, a wooded patch of land lying
+about a mile off the Maine Shore in the vicinity of Casco Bay. His son
+Zeb, a lumbering, uncouth-looking lad of about eighteen, with a
+pronounced squint, leaped from the craft as it was beached, and seized
+hold of the frayed painter preparatory to dragging her farther up the
+beach.
+
+In the meantime Zenas himself, brown and hatchetlike of face, and lean
+of figure--with a tuft of gray whisker on his sharp chin, like an
+old-fashioned knocker on a mahogany door--gathered up a pile of lobster
+pots from the stern of the dory and shouldered them. A few lay loose,
+and those he flung out on the beach.
+
+These last Zeb gathered up, and as his father stepped out of the dory
+the pair began trudging up the steeply sloping beach, toward the woods
+which rimmed the islet almost to the water's edge. All this, seemingly,
+in defiance of a staring sign which faced them, for on it was printed in
+letters visible quite a distance off:
+
+                           PRIVATE PROPERTY.
+                            NO TRESPASSING!
+
+Instead, however, of checking the fisherman, it caused old Zenas to
+break into a harsh laugh as his deep-set, wrinkle-surrounded eyes dwelt
+for an instant on the inscription. His jaw seemed to set with a snap,
+and his thin lips formed a narrow, hairlike line as a second later he
+saw something else. This was a stout wire fence, clearly of recent
+construction, which extended along the edge of the woods. Apparently it
+must have encircled the island, for it ran as far as eye could see in
+either direction.
+
+"Waal, I'll be dummed-gosh dummed!" snorted Zenas, his thin nostrils
+dilating angrily.
+
+"Put up a fence now, have they?" he continued. "Waal, if thet ain't ther
+beatingest! A passel of city kids ter come hyar and think they kin run
+things in Casco Bay!"
+
+"I reckon thet fence ain't goin' ter hinder us powerful much, dad."
+
+"Waal, I swan _not_. Come on, Zeb, look lively with them pots; we've got
+ter git across ther island an' back ez slippy ez we kin."
+
+But as father and son resumed their journey, the thick brush suddenly
+parted and down a narrow path a boyish figure came suddenly into view.
+The newcomer was a tall, muscular youth, with a face tanned to a healthy
+brown by constant outdoor life. His clean-cut figure and frank, open
+countenance formed a striking contrast to Zenas' crabbed features and
+the shifty look of his son.
+
+"Where do you intend going?" demanded the boy, as he halted a few paces
+on the opposite side of the fence.
+
+"You know waal enough, Frank Chester, or whatever yer name is," growled
+out Zenas, "we're goin' across ther Island ter stow our lobster pots,
+just as we've bin a-doin' fer years."
+
+"I'm very sorry. I don't want to seem unfair, but, as I explained to you
+the other day, this island is now private property. It was rented from
+Mr. Dunning of Portland on the express condition that we were not to be
+interfered with."
+
+"Land o' Goshen! So ye think yer kin come hyar an' run things ter suit
+yerselves, do yer?"
+
+"We rented the island for that purpose. As I said before, we are all
+very sorry if it interferes with your convenience; but there's Woody
+Island half a mile below, and closer in to Motthaven, too, why won't
+that suit you as well?"
+
+"'Cos it won't. Thet's why. Brig Island's bin here a sight longer than
+you er I, and it's goin' ter stay hyar arter we're gone, too."
+
+"I don't quite see what that has to do with it."
+
+"Waal, I do. We ain't used ter bein' dictated to by a passel of kids.
+I've bin usin' this island fer ten years or more. It suits me first
+rate, and I propose ter go on using it, and ther ain't no kids kin stop
+me," spoke Zenas stubbornly.
+
+"Well, we shan't keep you from it for more than a few weeks at most--at
+least I hope so," rejoined Frank, with perfect good nature, "after that,
+although we have leased it for a year, we shall be glad to have you use
+it in any way you like."
+
+"I want ter use it right now, I tell yer."
+
+"Well, you can't!"
+
+Frank's control of himself was beginning to ooze away in the face of
+such mule-like obstinacy.
+
+"Kain't, eh? We'll see. You're alone on the island ter-day, I seen ther
+other kids go ashore this mornin'. Come on, Zeb, climb over thet fence."
+
+"Thet's right, dad," applauded Zeb, "ef he gives yer any sass jes' hit
+him a clip in ther jaw. Reckon that 'ull stop him fer a while."
+
+As his son spoke Zenas made as if to lay his hand on the top wire of the
+fence preparatory to scaling it. Frank Chester stepped hastily forward.
+
+"Don't try to climb that fence!" he warned. His tone was so earnest
+that, involuntarily, Zenas checked himself.
+
+"Why not?" he demanded.
+
+"Because if you do you are going to get hurt. I give you fair warning."
+
+"Shucks! ez if a kid could bother me. Come on, Zeb."
+
+As he called to his son, Zenas clapped his hand on the top wire. Zeb,
+with a contemptuous grimace at Frank, did the same.
+
+"We'll show yer----" Zeb was beginning, when a singular thing happened.
+
+[Illustration: "OUCH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF TIME HIT US!"]
+
+Zenas, with a yell, sprang into the air and, tripping as he came down,
+alighted in a sprawling heap among the freshly-tarred lobster pots. His
+gray goatee wagged savagely as he lay there impotently clenching his
+fists, alternating this performance by vigorously rubbing his elbows. In
+the meantime his son, giving vent to a no less piercing cry, had
+executed a backward bound from the fence with as much velocity as if he
+had been a rubber ball.
+
+"Ouch! What in ther name of time hit us!" he demanded.
+
+"Dear land o' Goshen! What was thet?" shouted his parent.
+
+Frank had some difficulty in steadying his voice to reply. The sight of
+the two lately militant figures sprawling there on the beach was too
+much for his gravity.
+
+"_That_," he managed to gasp out at length, "that was a _mild_ current
+of electricity running through those wires. You recollect I warned you
+not to touch them."
+
+"You--you--you young villain!" roared Zenas, springing to his feet with
+great agility for one of his years, "I'll have ther law on yer!"
+
+"Consarn you, yes!" echoed Zeb, "assault and battery!"
+
+"No, not batteries--a dynamo," Frank could not resist saying. "If you
+think of going to law over it," he added, more seriously, "please
+recollect that I warned you not to touch those wires. Furthermore, you
+were defiantly trespassing on private property, although you could see
+that sign from quite a distance out on the water."
+
+The elder Daniels' face was a study at this. But his son continued to
+bellow angrily.
+
+"You may hev injured dad and me fer life!" he shouted.
+
+"Oh, no; on the contrary, a mild shock of electricity is a fine thing
+for the system. But," and Frank smiled, "don't take an overdose."
+
+"Oh, y'er laughin' at us, are yer? Waal, maybe ther laugh 'ull be on the
+other side of yer face nex' time we meet."
+
+All this time the elder Daniels had remained silent, gathering up his
+scattered lobster pots. Evidently he did not meditate a second assault
+on the fence. Now he turned the overboiling vials of his wrath on his
+son.
+
+"Pick up them pots, consarn ye!" he rumbled throatily, "and git out 'er
+this."
+
+Zeb obeyed, and then, with what dignity they could muster, the two
+shuffled back down the beach to their dory. Then they shoved off and
+began pulling for Woody Island. Frank Chester watched them in silence.
+But they did not look his way once during the swift row. When they
+landed on the distant islet, he saw Zeb turn and shake his fist in the
+direction of Brig Island with vicious emphasis. The elder fisherman,
+however, simply strode off along the beach of the adjacent island
+without turning.
+
+"Well, the fence certainly served its purpose," said Frank to himself,
+as he turned away; "it proved as effectual as it did that night we used
+the same sort of contrivance to put to rout the rascals who wanted to
+wreck the old Golden Eagle. Sorry I had to give those fellows such a
+severe lesson, though. They liked us little enough before. They'll have
+still less use for us now."
+
+He was about to retrace his steps up the path when his attention was
+arrested by a sudden sound--the sharp "put-put-put!" of a motor boat.
+
+"I'll bet that's Harry, Billy and Pudge coming now!" he exclaimed. "I'll
+go round to the hulk and meet them."
+
+So saying, he started off along the beach. In a few seconds he rounded a
+wooded promontory and passed out of sight. Right here, perhaps, is a
+good place to give those readers who have not already formed their
+acquaintance, some further idea of who Frank Chester and his companions
+are, and how the quartet came to be on Brig Island, off the coast of
+Maine, in the island-dotted Casco Bay region.
+
+The first volume of this series related the adventures of Frank and
+Harry Chester, two bright, inventive New York lads of seventeen and
+sixteen, in the turbulent Central American Republic of Nicaragua. In
+this book was set down the part that their aëroplane, _The Golden
+Eagle_, played in the drama of revolution, and followed also the
+tempestuous career of their chum Billy Barnes, a young reporter whom
+they met in the tropics. Mr. Chester, a New York man of affairs, owned a
+plantation in Nicaragua, and the boys and their aëroplane were the means
+of saving this from the depredations of the revolutionaries. But in an
+electric storm in which she was driven out to sea the _Golden Eagle_ was
+lost. By means of the wireless apparatus with which she was equipped,
+the lads, however, managed to communicate with a steamer which picked
+them up and saved their lives.
+
+In The Boy Aviators on Secret Service, the second volume of the Boy
+Aviators' series, we find them in the mysterious region of the
+Everglades. Once again they demonstrated--this time for Uncle Sam--the
+almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest inventions of modern
+times--the aëroplane and wireless telegraphy. In this book we related how
+the secret explosive factory was located and put out of commission, and
+what dangers and difficulties surrounded the boys during the process.
+
+Not long after this a strange combination of circumstances resulted in
+the boys taking a voyage to Africa. In The Boy Aviators In Africa you
+may read how they discovered the ivory hoard in the Moon Mountains, and
+how the Arab slave trader, who had cause to fear them, made all sorts of
+trouble for them. The first aëroplane to soar above the trackless
+forests of the Dark Continent conveyed them safely out of their
+dilemmas, and indirectly was the cause of their being able to voyage
+back to America on a fine yacht.
+
+The boys had figured on resting up after this, but the love of adventure
+that stirred in their blood, as well as their warm friendship for Billy
+Barnes, prompted them to take part in a cross-continent flight against
+great odds. The story of the contest, The Boy Aviators in Record Flight,
+related stirring incidents from coast to coast. Readers of that volume
+will readily summon to mind the ruse by which the lads escaped the
+cowboys and baffled some renegade Indians and, finally, their fearful
+battle in midair with the sand storm.
+
+The story of an old Spanish galleon enthralled in the deadly grip of the
+Sargasso Sea furnished the inspiration for the tale of the Boy Aviators'
+Treasure Quest. But they were not alone on their hunt for the long-lost
+treasure trove. Luther Barr, a bad old man who had caused them much
+trouble before, fitted out a rival expedition. High above the vast ocean
+of Sargasso weed the boys had to fight for their lives with a crew of
+desperate men in a powerful dirigible craft. How they won out, and
+through what other adventures they passed--including the surprising one
+of the "rat ship,"--you must read the volume to discover, as we have not
+space to detail all that befell them on that voyage.
+
+Then came what was, in many respects, their queerest voyage of all--the
+flight above the Antarctic fields of eternal ice, in search of the goal
+of discoverers of half a dozen nationalities, the South Pole. The Boy
+Aviators' Polar Dash was a volume full of swift action and enterprise.
+Many hardships were endured and dangers faced, but the boys did not
+flinch when duty required their best of them. They emerged from the
+frozen regions having achieved a signal triumph, but one which would not
+have been possible of accomplishment without their aëroplane.
+
+Having thus briefly sketched the previous careers of the Boy Aviators,
+we shall give a short account of how they came to be on Brig Island, and
+then press on with our story. About a month before the present story
+opens then, a scientific friend of Mr. Chester's, Dr. Maxim Perkins, had
+called on the Boy Aviators' father and requested the aid of the young
+aërial inventors in some problems that were bothering him. Dr. Perkins
+was already an aviator of some note, but his achievements had not found
+their way into the newspapers as, like most scientific men, he did not
+care for publicity in connection with his experiments.
+
+In common with the rest of the civilized world Dr. Perkins--horrified at
+a mid-ocean tragedy in which hundreds of lives were sacrificed--had set
+his wits to work to devise some means of life saving--in addition to the
+regular boat equipment--which might be easily carried by ocean liners. He
+was convinced that it would be feasible for vessels of that description
+to carry an auxiliary fleet of what he termed
+"dirigible-hydro-aëroplanes." By this rather clumsy name he meant a
+combination of the hydroplane, dirigible and aëroplane. But although his
+ideas on the subject were clear enough in theory, he was rather hazy
+about the practical side of the matter, and this was the object of his
+call on Mr. Chester--to ask the aid of the Boy Aviators in carrying out
+his experiments.
+
+To make a long story short, arrangements were finally completed by which
+the doctor had leased Brig Island, and had set up on it such sheds and
+appliances as would be needed by the boys in their work. These included
+a wireless, by means of which communication with the mainland might be
+kept up--via Portland--and also a unique piece of apparatus (if such it
+could be called) of which we shall learn in the next chapter.
+
+The boys had now spent two busy weeks on the island, and the work that
+they had mapped out for themselves was so nearly completed that they had
+felt justified that morning in wirelessing Dr. Perkins to come and see
+how things were going on. As we have seen, their stay on the island had
+not been altogether tranquil. The spot had been used for years by the
+fishermen as a sort of stowage place for their apparatus, and also,
+sometimes, as a summer residence. With the coming of the boys and their
+necessarily private work, all this had been changed, and the resentment
+of the fishermen had been bitter. Of all the complainers, Zenas and his
+son were the most aggressive, however, and had openly threatened to
+drive the boys off the island.
+
+To avoid being taken by surprise the lads had rigged up the electric
+fence, which device, as readers of The Boy Aviators on Secret Service
+will recall, had been used by them before with success to repel
+unwelcome visitors.
+
+Let us now rejoin Frank Chester as he goes to meet the approaching motor
+boat on which his brother Harry, Billy Barnes and Pudge Perkins, the
+doctor's son, had visited the mainland for provisions and mail that
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.--THE WIRELESS.
+
+
+As Frank rounded the point, the waves almost lapping his feet as he
+edged along the rocky promontory, he came into full view of the adjunct
+to the little settlement which was mentioned in the preceding chapter.
+This was nothing more nor less than the hulk of what had once been a
+fair-sized schooner. But her masts had vanished, and on her decks
+nothing now rose above the bulwarks but a towering structure of
+sufficiently odd form to have set the wits of every man in Motthaven who
+had seen it at their keenest edge.
+
+This structure began about amidships, where it attained a height of some
+thirty feet. From thence its skeleton form sloped sharply down toward
+the stern of the dismantled hulk, much in the manner of the "Chute the
+Chutes" familiar to most lads throughout the land from their having seen
+them at amusement resorts. The old schooner--formerly rejoicing in the
+name of _Betsy Jane_--had been picked up for a song in Portland by the
+Boy Aviators, who saw in it exactly what they needed for a bit of
+experimental apparatus. At their orders the inclined "slide" had been
+built, and when this was accomplished the craft had been towed into the
+cove, where it now lay anchored by a stout line, about 200 yards off
+shore.
+
+As Frank came into view of the black old hull, swinging on her mooring
+line on the turning tide, a "Hampton" motor boat came chugging round the
+_Betsy Jane's_ stern. In it were three lads. The one in the bow handling
+the wheel is already familiar to our readers, who will at once recognize
+the cherubic, smiling features of the spectacled Billy Barnes. In the
+stern, tending to the engine--a five horse power one of the
+make-and-break type--was Harry Chester, Frank's younger brother, and
+standing amidships, waving cheerfully to Frank, was a youth best
+described as being "tubby" of build, with round rosy cheeks and a most
+good-natured expression of countenance.
+
+This last lad was Ulysses--otherwise "Pudge" Perkins, the son of the
+aërial scientist who had sent the lads on their strange mission.
+
+"Batter and butterflies!" he shouted, as the boat drew closer and he
+spied Frank, "how are you, Frank? Get lonely without your chums?"
+
+"No; I rather enjoyed myself," laughed back Frank, shouting his words
+across the water; "you see, while you were away I had some quiet, and a
+chance to work out a few problems."
+
+"Mumps and mathematics!" sputtered Pudge amiably, "you don't mean to say
+I worry you, Frank?"
+
+By this time the motor boat had approached close to her mooring, at
+which swung a small boat of the dory type. The motor boat was speedily
+made fast, and the boyish occupants tumbled into the small boat and
+Harry rapidly sculled them ashore. Before leaving the motor boat some
+sacks of supplies had been thrown in, and the small craft was so heavily
+laden that Pudge had to be sternly warned to keep still on peril of
+swamping it.
+
+"Dories and dingbats! as if my sylphlike form could bother this staunch
+craft! Yo-ho! my lads, yo-ho! pull for the shore and don't bother about
+me."
+
+The beach was reached without catastrophe, and while Frank helped the
+others unload the supplies he told them of what had occurred during
+their absence.
+
+"After you left," he said, "I got busy figuring on that plane problem.
+All at once I heard voices, and by listening I soon recognized them as
+Zenas Daniels and that precious son of his. As I knew what ugly
+customers they were I turned the current into the fence and sauntered
+down toward the shore. Sure enough it was Zenas and Zeb and they tried
+to rush the fence."
+
+Frank then went on to tell of what had happened. Shouts of laughter
+greeted his narrative.
+
+"Sugar and somersaults! But I'd have liked to see those chaps do a
+flip-flap," chuckled the rotund Pudge, hugging himself in his joy.
+
+"I guess Zenas must have learned that electricity is good for the
+rheumatiz," laughed Billy Barnes gleefully; "I'd like to have had a
+picture of them when they hit the wire," he added, swinging his
+inevitable camera at the end of its carrying straps.
+
+"It would have been worth while," laughed Harry; "but come on, boys,
+let's get this stuff up to the hut. Anything to eat, Frank? I'm hungry
+enough to swallow one of old Zenas' lobster pots."
+
+"Sandwiches and sauerkraut! So am I," chimed in Pudge.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Billy Barnes, "as if we didn't know that. If you
+told us you _weren't_ hungry it would be something new."
+
+"Well, I don't see where I've got anything on you when it comes to meal
+times," retorted the fat youth.
+
+"Only about six inches more around the waist line," grinned Billy,
+dodging a blow from the fleshy youth's fat but muscular arm.
+
+Shouldering the supplies, which consisted of such staples as bacon,
+flour, sugar, rice and so forth, the lads made their way up the beach,
+having first carried the dory's anchor far up above highwater mark. They
+took their way along the electrically-charged fence till they came to a
+spot where there was a gate and a switch to break the connection. Frank
+turned off the switch, grounded the current, and opened the gate,
+through which they passed, and entered on a narrow path winding up among
+the rocks. When they had all gone through, Frank closed the gate,
+snapped on the switch again and the fence became as mischievous as
+before.
+
+In single file, headed by Harry, for Frank had now taken a rear place,
+they toiled up the steep path until, at the summit of the rocky little
+cliff, it plunged into the woods. Traversing these for a short distance,
+and always climbing upward, for the island converged to a point in the
+middle, they at length emerged on a clearing, evidently of nature's
+workmanship, for there was no trace of recently felled trees or other
+human work.
+
+The floor of this clearing was of rock, and off at one side a clear
+spring bubbled cheerfully over into a barrel set so as to catch the
+overflow. In the center of the open space stood a small but
+substantially-built portable house--one of the sectional kind. This
+formed the living quarters of the young island dwellers. Above it rose,
+like gaunt, leafless trees, two iron poles set thirty feet apart and
+stayed by stout guy wires. Between those two poles were suspended, by
+block and tackle, the aërials, or antennæ, by which messages were caught
+and sent. Within the hut was the rest of the wireless apparatus, which,
+with the exception of some improvements of Frank's devising, was of the
+portable kind--the same in fact that they had used in Florida. Outside
+the hut was a small shelter covering a four horse-power gasolene engine,
+which generated the power for the station.
+
+As most boys are familiar nowadays with the rudiments of wireless
+telegraphy we are not going into technical details concerning the plant.
+Suffice it to say that the boys were able to converse with Portland,
+under favorable conditions, and judged that, in suitable weather, they
+had a radius of some two hundred and fifty miles.
+
+But it was off to one side of the clearing, the side nearest to the
+cove, that the most interesting structure on the island was situated.
+This was more of a covering than a shed, for it consisted merely of a
+roof supported with uprights; but in bad weather canvas curtains could
+be drawn so as to make its interior stormproof.
+
+This shed was now open, and under the roof could be seen what was
+perhaps at the moment the most unique machine of its kind in the world.
+Looking into that shed you would have said at first that it housed a
+boat. For the first object that struck your eye was a double-ended,
+flat-bottomed craft of shimmering aluminum metal, about thirty feet in
+length and built on the general lines of one of our life-saving craft.
+That is to say, with "whalebacks" at each end containing air chambers,
+and plenty of beam and room within the cockpit. A peculiar feature,
+however, was the addition of four wheels.
+
+But the boat theory would have had to be abandoned the next moment, for
+above the hull of the whaleboat-shaped craft was what appeared to be the
+understructure of an aëroplane. But the planes--the broad
+wings--themselves were lacking. The twin propellers connected to a motor
+within the boat were, however, in place. Apparently they were driven by
+chains, similar to, but stouter than, the ordinary bicycle variety.
+
+All about was a litter of tools and implements of all kinds. Several
+large frames leaning against one side of the shed appeared to be the
+skeleton forms of the wings which were soon to be added to the
+superstructure.
+
+"Tamales and terrapins!" cried Pudge admiringly, as he gazed at the
+uncompleted craft, "but she begins to look like something, eh, Frank?"
+
+"Yes," nodded the young aviator, "but until your father arrives we
+cannot adjust the wings. There is a lot of theoretical work connected
+with them that he will have to do. By the way, I wonder if Portland's
+got any answer to our message yet?"
+
+Followed by the others, Frank entered the living hut, which proved to be
+a snug, neat compartment about fifteen feet in length, by ten in width.
+It had four windows, two on a side, and a door at one end. At the other
+end was the wireless apparatus, with its glittering bright metal parts,
+and businesslike-looking condensers and tuning coils. Along the walls
+were four bunks, two on a side, one above the other. In the center were
+a table and camp chairs, and from the ceiling hung a large oil lamp.
+
+A shelf held a good collection of books on aëro and wireless subjects,
+and at one side of the door was a blue-flame kerosene stove. On the
+other side of the door was a cupboard containing crockery, knives, forks
+and cooking utensils. Altogether, if the boys had not been there for a
+more serious purpose, the place might have been said to form an almost
+ideal camp for four healthy, active lads.
+
+"Start up the motor, Harry," said Frank, as soon as they had deposited
+their burdens, "and we'll try and get some track of Dr. Perkins. His
+answer to our message ought to be in Portland by now."
+
+The younger Chester lad hastened outside, and soon the popping of the
+motor announced that it was running. Frank sat down at the key and,
+depressing it, sent a blue-white flame crackling across the spark gap.
+Out into space, from the aërials stretched above, the message went
+volleying. It was the call of the Portland station that Frank was
+sending. He flashed it out three times, as is customary, and then signed
+it F-C., the latter being Brigg Island's agreed-upon signature. Then,
+while the others gathered round, Frank adjusted the "phones," the
+delicate receivers that clamp over the ear and through which, by way of
+the detector, any message vibrating in the air may be caught as it
+encounters the antenna.
+
+Frank listened some time but--save for the conversation of two wireless
+operators far out at sea--he could hear nothing. With a gesture of
+impatience Frank began adjusting his tuning coil. All at once he broke
+into a smile of satisfaction. At last Portland was answering:
+
+"F--C! F--C! F--C!"
+
+"All right," rejoined Frank, sending a volley of sparks crashing and
+flashing across the gap as soon as he could break in, "is there any
+answer to my message?"
+
+"Yes. Perkins will be at Motthaven to-morrow night. He wants you to meet
+him," came back the answer, winging its way over the intervening miles
+of space.
+
+"Is that all?"
+
+"That's all."
+
+Frank removed the "phones," grounded his key and told Harry he could
+stop the motor.
+
+"I'll be glad when the doctor does get here," he confided to the others,
+after he had communicated the message, "for I'm beginning to think that
+we are in for some sort of trouble. Those two Daniels are pretty
+influential in the village, and it only needs a word from them to turn
+the whole crowd against us."
+
+"We could stand 'em off," bragged Pudge grandiloquently, "lassoes and
+lobsters, we could stand 'em off. I half wish they would come--buttons
+and buttercakes, but I do!" and Pudge doubled up his fists and looked
+fierce.
+
+"You forget, Pudge," said Frank, "that we are here in positions of
+responsibility. All this property is your father's. It is our duty to
+see that no harm comes to it. A bunch of those fishermen inflamed by
+anger might be able to do more harm here in an hour than could be
+repaired in months, not to mention the cost."
+
+"Surely you don't think they'd come down to actual violence, Frank?"
+inquired Harry.
+
+"I don't know. The two Daniels looked mighty savage to-day, I can tell
+you. If it hadn't been for the electric fence they might have made
+trouble. At all events I'll be glad to have some advice."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.--A NIGHT ALARM.
+
+
+After supper that night, a meal consisting of fried salt pork, boiled
+potatoes and some fresh fish which Frank had caught earlier in the day,
+the elder of the Chester lads called what he termed "a conference,"
+although Billy Barnes declared it was more in the nature of a "council
+of war."
+
+We are not going to detail here all that was said as it would make
+wearisome reading; but, after an hour or more of talk, Frank spoke his
+mind.
+
+"It may be all foolishness, of course," he said, "but I think that we
+ought not to leave the island unguarded to-night. Daniels and his son
+have had a taste of that wire fence and they may have figured out some
+way to get around it--it would be a simple enough matter to do, after
+all."
+
+"Well, what's your proposal?" inquired Billy Barnes.
+
+"To patrol the island all night, taking turns on watch. It's not more
+than a mile or so all round it, and it ought to be an easy matter to
+keep the ground thoroughly covered."
+
+"Rifles and rattlesnakes!" burst out Pudge, "I thought this was to be a
+sort of working vacation and not a civil war."
+
+Frank smiled, and then assumed a graver expression as he went on:
+
+"There is so much valuable property here which it would be easy for
+malicious people to injure that I wouldn't feel justified in leaving the
+island unguarded all night. What do the rest of you think?"
+
+"Just as you do, Frank," rejoined Harry heartily, while Billy and Pudge
+nodded vigorously; "we've got to keep a sharp lookout. I nominate myself
+and Pudge for the first watch--say from eight to twelve. You and Billy
+can go on duty from midnight till daylight."
+
+After some discussion this order of procedure was adopted. Promptly at
+eight o'clock Harry and Pudge Perkins went "on duty," while Frank and
+Billy turned in to get what sleep they could. As a matter of precaution,
+when they came to the island, the boys had brought along a revolver, and
+Harry was armed with this when he went on duty. He was not, of course,
+to use it as a weapon of offence, but it was agreed that, in case there
+was any alarm during his watch, he was to fire it three times, when the
+others would come to his assistance.
+
+Harry and Pudge accompanied each other as far as the gate, and then
+threaded their way down the path among the rocks toward the beach. A
+mild current had been turned on in the fence, enough to give an
+uncomfortable shock to any one tampering with it, but not enough to
+exhaust the storage batteries which supplied it.
+
+When they reached the beach, Harry paused.
+
+"We'd better start this patrol in opposite directions," he said, "and
+then we can meet each other once on every circuit."
+
+"All right," agreed Pudge, "but--pirates and parachutes--keep a good eye
+open."
+
+"Don't worry about me," rejoined Harry; "so long!"
+
+As he spoke each boy stepped off into the darkness to begin the patrol.
+As Harry trudged along the beach his mind was full of the events of
+which Frank had spoken that afternoon. Up in the lighted hut, with his
+companions around him, it had seemed a very remote possibility to the
+boy that any attack should be made on the island. But pacing along under
+the stars, with only the sound of his own footsteps for company, placed
+a very different light on the matter. What if the disgruntled fishermen
+should make a night descent on the island?
+
+"This won't do," exclaimed Harry to himself, coming to a sudden halt in
+the cove opposite to which the motor boat was moored, and where a
+blacker patch on the dark sand showed him the beached dinghy, "it's no
+use getting shivery and scared just because a couple of cranky fishermen
+are so sore at us. I've got to brace up, that's all there is to it."
+
+His surroundings, however, were not calculated to soothe the nervous
+suspense of the lad. Except for the stars glittering like steel points
+in the night sky there was no light. The night was so pitchy dark, on
+the beach under the shadow of the trees, that he could hardly see with
+certainty a yard ahead of him. The surf roared hoarsely against the
+rocks at the point--for the tide was full, and the night wind moaned in
+the trees like a note of warning.
+
+With an idea of carrying out his patrol properly, Harry went toward the
+darker patch amid the gloom which showed him where the beached dinghy
+lay. He examined it as well as he could, and made sure that it was well
+above tide water. Having completed this, he paced on, and in due time
+heard footsteps approaching him which he knew must be those of Pudge
+Perkins. A minute later the two young sentinels met and exchanged
+greetings. Pudge had nothing to report, except that it was what he
+called a "creepy" job. However, he pluckily averred: "Ghosts and
+gibberish, Harry, I'm going to stick it out."
+
+"That's right," approved Harry, and after a few words both boys once
+more started out on their lonesome tours of duty.
+
+In due course Harry again reached the cove opposite the schooner hulk,
+and this time, being rather tired, he decided to sit down on the beached
+dinghy and take a rest. But, to his astonishment, it didn't seem to be
+in the place where it should have been.
+
+"I could have sworn it was right here," said Harry to himself, as he
+trudged about on his quest, "it must be close at hand. Guess I'll fall
+over it and hurt my shins in a minute."
+
+But although he reassured himself, the boy felt far from secure in his
+belief. After a further painstaking search he was fain to confess--what
+he really believed from the first--that the dinghy which had lain there a
+short time before had mysteriously vanished!
+
+"Can it be those miserable Daniels?" gasped Harry to himself. "Yes, it
+must be," he went on, answering his own questions, "who else would have
+done it, unless it drifted off."
+
+He was moving about as he spoke, and as he uttered the last words he
+stumbled across something that showed him very plainly that the dinghy
+could not have drifted away from the beach. What he had fallen over was
+the anchor firmly embedded in the sand, with a length of rope still
+attached to it.
+
+Harry felt along the bit of rope in the darkness till he reached the end
+of it. Then he struck a match. In the flicker of light which followed he
+saw plainly enough what had occurred--the rope had been slashed through.
+The boy had just made this discovery when from the water he heard
+something that caused him to listen acutely, bending every sense to the
+operation.
+
+What he had heard was the splash of an oar, and a quick exclamation of
+impatience, as if the rower, whoever he was, had blamed his involuntary
+misstroke.
+
+"Some one's out there, and they're aboard the schooner, too; or I'm very
+much mistaken," exclaimed Harry to himself, as, listening acutely, he
+caught the sound of footsteps proceeding, seemingly, by their hollow
+ring, from the decks of the dismantled hulk; "what will I do? If I fire
+the pistol I'll scare them off, and if I don't----"
+
+He stopped short. A sudden daring idea had flashed into his mind. The
+boy hastily slipped off his shoes and divested himself of all but his
+undergarments. Then, leaving his pistol on the beach, he slipped
+noiselessly into the bay and struck out in the direction of the
+schooner. The water was bitterly cold, as it always is off the Maine
+coast, even in the height of summer, but Harry kept dauntlessly on,
+determined to brave anything in the execution of his purpose.
+
+The hulk lay only about a hundred yards off the shore, and before long
+he could see her dark outlines looming up against the lighter darkness
+of the sky on the horizon. He fancied, but could not be certain that it
+was not an illusion, that for an instant he could see two forms creeping
+along the decks. The next moment something showed up ahead of him with
+which he almost collided.
+
+Harry, with a gasp of gratitude, for the water had chilled him to the
+bone, recognized it as the motor boat. As silently as he could he drew
+himself up into it, and then, casting himself flat in the cockpit, he
+listened with all his might for further sounds from the schooner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.--CUT ADRIFT.
+
+
+He did not have long to wait. Seemingly, whoever the marauders were--and
+as to their identity the lad could hazard a pretty good guess--they did
+not bother much about lowering their voices.
+
+"By the jumping crickey!" he heard coming over the water from the
+schooner, "jiggered if I kin make out what they cal'kelated ter use this
+hulk fer."
+
+"Hush! Not so loud, pop. Ther sound carries tur'rble fur over ther
+water."
+
+"As if I didn't know thet, Zeb, but what do we care? Them kids is fast
+asleep, and anyhow, we cut the dinghy adrift so they couldn't do us any
+harm ef they wanted to."
+
+"Thet's right, too; but some of 'em might be prowling about. They're up
+ter all sorts uv tricks. I ain't forgot thet thar fence, I kin tell yer.
+My arm's a-tingling yet whar thet electricity hit me."
+
+Soaked through as he was, and chilly into the bargain, Harry couldn't
+help smiling as he heard this eloquent testimonial to the efficacy of
+the "charged" fence. He had caught the name of "Zeb," too, which
+speedily removed all doubt from his mind as to the identity of the
+marauders.
+
+"The precious rascals," he thought, while his teeth chattered with cold,
+"I'm mighty glad I did swim out here, even if I am almost frozen to
+death. If they aren't under arrest to-morrow it won't be my fault."
+
+Little more was heard from the schooner, but from what he could catch he
+surmised that the two fishers were completely mystified by the craft.
+Presently he heard their footsteps descending the gangway and then came
+the splash of oars. They were dipped silently no longer, a pretty sure
+sign that the two rascals didn't much care if they were heard or not.
+After a moment the splashing sound grew more remote, and Harry knew that
+the two prowlers had taken their departure.
+
+There was a scull in the motor boat and as soon as he was sure that the
+Daniels were out of earshot, Harry up anchored and began sculling the
+motor boat toward the hulk. The distance was so short that he did not
+want to bother to start the engine, and in a few seconds he was
+alongside the dark hulk. He shoved along the side till the motor boat
+grated against the gangway, and then, not forgetting to make the motor
+craft fast, he leaped up the steps, with the purpose of discovering what
+harm, if any, had been wrought aboard the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Harry knew where a lantern was kept, and descending into what had once
+been the cabin he began rummaging about for it. In the pitchy blackness
+the task took him longer than he had anticipated, but at last he found
+the lantern and the matches which lay beside it. Hastily striking a
+light he soon had the bare cabin filled with the yellow rays of the
+lamp. As has been explained, the _Betsy Jane_ had been purchased as a
+sort of "trying-out" appliance for the inventions of Dr. Perkins, and
+therefore the cabin contained nothing in the way of furniture. The lamp,
+in fact, had only been placed on board as a precaution in case a riding
+light was ever needed on the anchored hulk. But as she had remained at
+her moorings in the isolated cove this was not, of course, necessary.
+
+A brief look about the cabin showed Harry that nothing had been molested
+there. In fact, as has been said, there was nothing to molest. A door in
+the forward bulkhead led into the empty hold, and the boy next made his
+way there, the lamp casting weird shadows on the timbers as he went. His
+steps rang hollowly through the deserted ship, and he could hardly
+repress a shudder as he threaded his way among the stanchions, which,
+like the pillars in a church, upheld the deck above his head.
+
+Reaching what had been the forecastle of the _Betsy Jane_, Harry came to
+the conclusion that nothing had been damaged below. His next task was to
+go up on deck. His examination below decks had been painstaking, and had
+occupied him some time, but he was determined to make it a thorough one.
+The fact is that an ugly suspicion had crept into Harry's mind as he lay
+in the bottom of the motor boat listening to the two Daniels on board
+the schooner. This was nothing more nor less than a dread that they
+might have "scuttled" the craft. From what he knew of them the two were
+capable of anything, and he thought that in their rage at finding
+nothing on board that they could damage they might have bored holes in
+the schooner in order to sink her. His investigation of the hold,
+however, had shown him--to his great relief--that nothing of the sort had
+occurred.
+
+Coming on deck Harry made as careful a search for damage as he had done
+in the hold. But the inclined superstructure remained intact, and
+nothing indicated that the Daniels had done anything more than stroll
+about, trying to discover what the object of the schooner was.
+
+So intent had Harry been on his task that he had, for the time being,
+completely forgotten that Pudge must be anxiously looking for him. Going
+into the eyes of the craft he sent a hearty hail ashore:
+
+"Pudge ahoy! Oh-h-h-h, Pu-d-g-e!"
+
+Then he stopped to listen intently. But no reply came to his hail. He
+tried it again and again, without success. Then he determined as a last
+resort to fire the agreed-upon three shots. He did not want to alarm his
+companions unnecessarily, but surely, he thought, it would be a good
+idea to arouse them and communicate what had occurred since he left the
+hut.
+
+Up to that moment the boy had completely forgotten that he had left the
+pistol on the beach. He felt compelled to laugh at himself for his
+absentmindedness, but while the laugh was still on his lips something
+happened that caused it to freeze there.
+
+A mass of cold spray was suddenly projected over the bow. At the same
+instant the old hulk quivered at the smart "slap" of a wave.
+
+"Gracious!" thought Harry to himself, "the sea must be getting up. I
+reckon I'd best be going back ashore."
+
+As he made his way aft toward the gangway he found that the sea must
+indeed have risen since he came on board. The old hulk was rolling about
+like a bottle, and he had to hold on to the rail as he made his way
+along the decks. Getting into the motor boat under these conditions was
+no easy task. But it was accomplished at last.
+
+"I guess I'll start the engine before I cut adrift," said Harry to
+himself.
+
+Later on he was to be very thankful he did. Turning on the switch and
+gasolene he began to "spin" the fly wheel; but beyond a wheezy cough the
+motor gave no sign of responding. For more than half an hour the boy
+worked with might and main over the refractory bit of machinery, but to
+no effect. The engine was absolutely "dead."
+
+"What can be the matter with it?" thought Harry to himself. "It's never
+acted this way before."
+
+He stood up, too engrossed in his problem to realize what a sea was
+running. Before he could recover his balance the pitching craft almost
+bucked him overboard.
+
+"Gracious! the waves are getting up with a vengeance," exclaimed the boy
+to himself; "I can never scull ashore in this sea. Queer, too, there,
+doesn't seem to be any more wind than when I left shore. Certainly I've
+never seen the sea as rough as this in the inlet before."
+
+With the object of finding out what ailed the obstinate motor, he
+returned to the deck of the schooner where he had left the lamp. Getting
+into the motor boat with it once more, by dint of much balancing and
+holding on he cast its rays on the single cylinder. Almost
+simultaneously he saw what had happened. Somebody, he had no difficulty
+in guessing who, had removed the sparking points. No wonder that no
+explosion had followed his efforts to get the craft under way.
+
+"Well, here's a fine fix," thought Harry; "even if I could attract their
+attention ashore I've got no means of getting there. Oh, if I won't get
+even with those Daniels as soon as I get a chance! Wonder what I'd
+better do?"
+
+His first move was to clamber back on board the schooner, for the wild
+rolling of the motor boat, as she plunged about at the foot of the
+gangway, was not helpful to thought. Gaining the deck once more Harry
+sought out the cabin and seated himself on the edge of one of the empty
+bunks which ranged its sides.
+
+Suddenly it occurred to him that he was uncommonly sleepy, and at the
+same time he thought that possibly it would be a good idea to pass the
+rest of the night in slumber. He had no watch, but he imagined that it
+could not be so very far to daylight. With this object in view he cast
+himself down in the bunk and, despite the hardness of the bed and the
+chilliness of his scantily clad limbs, he rapidly slipped away from his
+surroundings into a dreamless sleep.
+
+When he awoke the sun was shining through the stern ports. That is, it
+was for one instant, and then in the next it was obscured again. Harry
+was enough of a sailor to know that this meant a cloudy day, with
+possibly a piping wind scurrying the clouds across the sky.
+
+"Thank goodness it's daylight anyhow!" he exclaimed, jumping from his
+uncomfortable couch, with an ache in every limb in his body; "now to go
+on deck and attract their attention ashore."
+
+Utterly unprepared for the shock that was to greet him, Harry bounded up
+the companionway stairs and on to the deck.
+
+Had a bomb exploded at his feet he could not have been more
+thunderstruck than he was at the sight which greeted him.
+
+There was no island, no distant mainland. Nothing but miles upon miles
+of tumbling blue water in which the _Betsy Jane_ was wallowing about,
+casting showers of spray over her bow every time she nosed into a
+billow.
+
+Harry's heart stood still for an instant. His senses swam dizzily. Then,
+with a sudden return of his faculties, he realized what had occurred.
+
+The mooring rope of the _Betsy Jane_ had been cut or had broken, and he
+was miles out on the Atlantic without a prospect of succor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.--ADVENTURES ON THE HULK.
+
+
+A sudden sharp puff of wind, followed by a heavier dip than usual on the
+part of the dismantled hulk, apprised the boy that both breeze and sea
+were increasing. Putting aside, for the moment, by a brave effort, his
+heart sickness, Harry ran to the rail and peered over the side. The
+motor boat was careering gallantly along by the side of her big consort,
+and the boy was glad to note that the painter still held, despite the
+strain.
+
+But Harry knew, from his examination the previous night, that it would
+be useless to try to escape by the motor craft. She was disabled beyond
+hope of repair, unless he could get another spark plug. Having made sure
+the motor craft was all right, Harry returned to the bow and sat down to
+think the situation over.
+
+It would have been a trying one for a man to face, let alone a lad; but
+Harry's numerous adventures had given him a power of calm thought beyond
+his years, and he managed to marshal his ideas into some sort of shape
+as he crouched under the bow bulwarks.
+
+"Evidently the _Betsy Jane_ was caught by the tide, when it turned, and
+carried out to sea," he thought, "and then, when the wind got up, she
+drifted still faster. I wonder if her mooring rope broke or if it was
+cut--guess I'll take a look."
+
+The boy dragged inboard the end of the mooring line that still hung over
+the bow. One look at it was enough. The clean cut strands showed
+conclusively that it had been severed, just above the water line, by a
+sharp knife. The fact that the Daniels could not know that any one would
+come on board after they slashed the line did not make their act any
+less heinous in Harry's eyes. It had been their deliberate intention to
+set the schooner adrift, and they had succeeded only too well in their
+act of spite.
+
+"Whatever will they be thinking on the island when they discover all
+this?" thought Harry with a low groan. "They'll imagine that I'm dead,
+or at least that some fatal accident has befallen me, and, worst of all,
+they have no boat to use to reach the mainland. They are just as much
+prisoners as I am."
+
+Sharp pangs of hunger now began to assail the lad, and he recollected,
+with a thankful heart, that on board the motor boat there were the
+remains of a lunch they had taken ashore with them on their expedition
+the previous day. There was also a keg of water. Harry lost no time in
+descending the gangway and making his way to the locker where the food
+had been stored. First, however, he made a foray on the water keg.
+Taking out the stopper he found that it was only half full, but he
+slaked his thirst gratefully, taking care to use as small a quantity of
+the fluid as possible. He knew that before long the water might be
+precious indeed.
+
+In the locker he found the remnants of the lunch. As he consumed the
+scraps of bread and cheese, and a small hunk of corned beef, he recalled
+with what light hearts they had fallen to the meal of which he was now
+devouring the remains. The recollection almost overcame him. With a
+strong effort the boy choked back a sob and formed a grim determination
+not to dwell upon his miserable situation more than was possible. He
+felt that the main thing was to keep a clear head.
+
+There was some spare rope on board the hulk, and with this Harry made
+the fastenings of the launch more secure, leading one end of the rope on
+board the schooner itself, and making it fast to a cleat. He felt that
+the craft would be more safe if attached thus than would have been the
+case had he depended on the gangway alone.
+
+This done, he took a look about him. He had had a vague hope that he
+might sight a ship of some sort, but the ocean was empty as a desert.
+Not a sail or a smudge of smoke marred the horizon. All this time the
+wind had been steadily freshening, and Harry judged that the schooner
+must be drifting before it quite fast. The inclined superstructure
+naturally added to her "windage" and made her go before the gale more
+rapidly. The sea, too, was piling up in great, glistening, green water
+rows, which looked formidable indeed. But so far the _Betsy Jane_ had
+wallowed along right gallantly, only shipping a shower of spray
+occasionally when a big sea struck her obliquely on the bow.
+
+"If only I had plenty of food and water," thought Harry, "this would be
+nothing more than a good bit of adventure, but----"
+
+In accordance with his resolution not to dwell on the more serious
+aspects of his predicament he dismissed this side of the case from his
+mind. But as the day wore on, and he grew intolerably thirsty, the
+thought of what might be his fate, if he did not fall in with some
+vessel, beset his mind more and more, to the exclusion of all else. In
+the afternoon, as closely as he could judge the time, he took another
+drink from the fast-diminishing supply in the keg. He noticed, with an
+unpleasant shock, that the fluid was growing alarmingly lower. Before he
+took the draught he had cleaned up the remaining crumbs left in the
+locker, and was now absolutely without food.
+
+The rest of that afternoon he passed watching the empty sea for some
+sign of a ship, but not a trace of one could he discover. Utterly
+disheartened he watched the sun set in a blaze of crimson and gold. The
+sunset lay behind him, and Harry knew by this that he was drifting east
+at a rapid rate. Just how rapid he had, of course, no means of
+calculating. Of one thing he was thankful--the sea had not increased, and
+the wind appeared to have fallen considerably with the departure of
+daylight.
+
+"Surely," thought the boy, "I must have drifted on the track of ocean
+vessels by this time. I know there's a line to Halifax, and another to
+Portland, besides the coasters."
+
+With this thought came another. What if he should be run down during the
+night? The idea sent a shudder through his scantily clothed form. He
+knew that derelicts are often the cause of marine disasters, and during
+the dark hours the hulk might invite such a fate if he did not take
+steps to guard against it.
+
+Accordingly he lit his lantern and hung it in the underpinning of the
+inclined superstructure.
+
+"At least they can see that," he thought, as he completed the hanging of
+his warning light.
+
+Then, having done all he well could under the circumstances, Harry cast
+himself down in the lee of the weather bulwarks and tried to sleep. But
+in his scanty attire he was far too cold to do aught but lie and shiver
+till his teeth chattered. He determined to pass the rest of the night
+below, and once more sought a couch in the empty bunk. But sleep was a
+long time coming. Tired, excited and hungry as the boy was, he could not
+compose himself to slumber. Ten or a dozen times he started up and ran
+to the deck, thinking that he had heard the distant beat of some
+vessel's engines. But each time it proved a false alarm.
+
+At length tired nature asserted herself, and he sank to sleep in good
+earnest. When he awakened it was daylight, and there was an odd feeling
+about the motion of the _Betsy Jane_. She seemed to have ceased her
+rolling and pitching, and was almost steady in the water. Suddenly there
+came a jarring crash that almost threw Harry out of the bunk.
+
+Much startled, he ran on deck, and found, to his astonishment, that the
+vessel lay right off an island. Seemingly she had grounded on a reef of
+rocks stretching out from the island itself. At any rate, as the waves
+rocked her she gave a jarring, crunching bump with each pitch of her
+hull. The island appeared to be a small one, and in general appearance
+was not unlike Brig Island. In fact, at first Harry had thought that in
+some magical way the _Betsy Jane_ had drifted back to that small speck
+of land. But a second glance showed him that the island off which the
+dismantled hull had grounded differed in many essentials from the one he
+had left. Far to the westward, about twenty miles as well as the boy
+could judge, lay a dim streak of dark blue that Harry guessed was the
+mainland. But for all the good it did him it might have been a hundred
+miles removed.
+
+Harry was still gazing at the island and wondering how he could reach it
+before the _Betsy Jane_ pounded herself to pieces on the rocks, when he
+started violently. The island was not, as he had supposed,
+uninhabited--at least, he had caught sight of a swirl of blue smoke
+rising from among the trees on its highest part. This meant help,
+companionship and food. An involuntary cry of joy rose to the boy's
+lips, which the next instant turned to a groan as he looked over the
+side of the schooner and saw that the reef on which she had struck was
+much too far out from the shore for him to try to swim the distance,
+even if a roaring, racing tide would not have made it suicidal to
+attempt the feat.
+
+"Unless I can attract the attention of whoever lives there by shouting,
+I'm as badly off as I was before," exclaimed Harry, in a voice made
+quavery by panic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.--HARRY MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
+
+
+All at once, while he was still gazing at the column of smoke shoreward,
+Harry became aware of a figure coming out of the woods toward the beach.
+He shouted with all his might, and the man who had appeared from the
+undergrowth waved a reply.
+
+Then his voice came over the water.
+
+"What's up?"
+
+The tone somehow was strangely familiar to Harry, and, for that matter,
+when he had first seen the figure of the newcomer it had struck him with
+an odd sense of familiarity. Suddenly he realized why this was.
+
+"Ben Stubbs!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
+
+"Ahoy, mate!" came back after a pause; "who are you?"
+
+"Harry Chester!"
+
+"By the great horn spoon! What the dickens are you doing out there?"
+
+Cupping his hands to make his voice carry the better, Harry hailed back
+once more.
+
+"I drifted here on this hulk. Can you take me off?"
+
+"Can I? Wait a jiffy."
+
+Ben Stubbs--for it was actually the "maroon" whom the boys had rescued
+from a miserable fate in the Nicaraguan treasure valley--began running
+along the shore as fast as his short legs would carry him. Presently he
+vanished around a wooded promontory, leaving Harry in a strange jumble
+of feelings. What could the good-hearted old companion of several of
+their adventures be doing on this desolate island off the Maine coast?
+When they had last heard from him he had been running a tug boat line in
+New York harbor, having purchased the business with the profits made out
+of the discovery of the treasure trove in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+Before a great while the man who had so opportunely appeared came into
+view once more This time he was in a skiff, rowing with strong strokes
+toward the stranded hulk of the _Betsy Jane_. Harry watched him with
+eager eyes. Fast as Ben Stubbs rowed, it seemed an eternity to the
+anxious boy before his strangely rediscovered friend reached the side of
+the grounded schooner.
+
+When he did so he hastily made fast, and was up the gangway ladder three
+steps at a time. Fortunately for his haste, the sea had diminished in
+roughness considerably, and the _Betsy Jane_ lay almost motionless on
+the reef. Otherwise he would have stood a strong chance of being thrown
+from his footing. Harry was at the gangway as Ben Stubbs' weather-beaten
+countenance came into view at the top of the steps.
+
+Ben seized the boy's hand in a grip that made Harry flinch, but he
+returned it with as strong a clench as he could. For a moment both of
+them were too much overcome with emotion at the strange meeting to utter
+a word. It was Ben who spoke first.
+
+"Waal, what under the revolving universe are you doing here?" he
+demanded.
+
+"I was about to ask the same question of you."
+
+"It's a long story, boy, and you look just about played out. What has
+happened? I never dreamed that you were even in this neighborhood."
+
+"I guess the same thing applies to me, so far as you are concerned,
+Ben," rejoined Harry, between a laugh and a sob. "As for myself, I've
+been adrift all night on this old hulk. Some rascals cut her loose from
+her moorings at Brig Island."
+
+"Wow! you've drifted all the way from there. Why, it's fifty miles or
+more away."
+
+"I know it. It seemed a million to me. What worries me is what the
+others must be thinking. They won't know if I'm dead or alive."
+
+"We'll find a way to let 'em know, never fear," struck in Ben in his
+deep, rumbling voice; "but I reckon you're hungry and thirsty?"
+
+"Am I? Why, I could eat a horse without sauce or salt, as you used to
+say."
+
+"Then get in the skiff and come ashore. I've got a sort of a hut there.
+It ain't much of a place, but I've got enough to eat and a good spring
+of clear water, and I can give you a suit of slops."
+
+"But the schooner?" demanded Harry.
+
+"She'll be all right, I reckon. She's lying on a sort of sandy ridge
+that runs out here. The sea's gone down so that she won't do herself any
+harm, and we can't do her any good right now. You see, the tide is
+falling. When it rises we'll try to get her off and anchor her in a
+snugger berth."
+
+Harry might have argued the point, but the prospect of food and drink
+made so strong an appeal to him that he did not stop to waste words.
+Five minutes later they were rowing ashore, and, while Ben bent to the
+oars with a will, Harry told him in detail all that happened since they
+came to Brig Island, and the reason of their presence there. He knew
+that he was safe in confiding in old Ben.
+
+The relation of his story occupied the entire trip to the shore, and
+when Ben had beached his skiff he seized Harry by the arm and began
+hurrying him up the beach toward a small hut, half canvas, half lumber,
+which stood back under the shelter of a low bluff. The boy was
+desperately anxious to learn the reason of Ben's presence on the island,
+for he knew it could have no ordinary cause. But the weather-beaten old
+adventurer would not allow the boy to say another word till he had
+clothed himself and eaten all he could put away of a rabbit stew washed
+down with strong coffee.
+
+"Now, then," remarked Ben, as soon as Harry had finished, "I suppose
+you're a-dyin' to hear what I'm doin' on Barren Island, which is the
+name of this bit of land?"
+
+"I am, indeed," declared Harry, shoving back the cracker box which had
+served him as a chair; "the last person in the world I would have
+expected to see when the _Betsy Jane_ grounded was Ben Stubbs."
+
+Ben chuckled.
+
+"Allers turnin' up, like a bad penny, ain't I?" he said, shoving some
+very black tobacco into his old pipe. "'Member ther time I dropped out
+of the sky in thet dirigible balloon?"
+
+"Well, I should say I did," laughed Harry; "but how you got here is past
+my comprehension. What became of the tug boat line?"
+
+Ben snapped his fingers.
+
+"All gone, my lad! Gone just like that! I reckon I'm not a good hand at
+business, or the crooked tricks that answers for that same. Anyhow, to
+make a long yarn a short one, I went on a friend's note and he dug out.
+That was blow number one. To meet that note I had to mortgage some of my
+boats, and in some way--blow me if I rightly understand it yet--I got
+myself in a hole whar' the lawyer fellers bled me till I was mighty near
+dry. I tried to struggle along, but it wasn't no go. Then came a strike
+of tug boat hands and that finished me. I couldn't stand the long lay
+off without anything to do, so I sold out for what I could get, and--and
+here I am."
+
+"I'm mighty sorry to hear that you failed, Ben," said Harry with real
+sympathy in his tones, "but you haven't said yet what you are doing here
+on Barren Island, as you call it."
+
+"I'm a-gettin' to that, lad," said Ben, emitting a cloud of blue smoke;
+"give me time. As I told you, that feller on whose note I went,
+skedaddled. You see, I'd trusted him as my own brother, bein' as I knew
+his father when I was a miner. He--that's this chap's father, I mean--was
+a Frenchman, Raoul Duval was his name, and his son's name the same. Old
+man Duval made his pile in Lower Californy and was makin' fer his home
+in New Orleans when ther steamer he was travelin' on blew up, and he and
+all his gold dust--a whalin' big lot of it--went to the bottom.
+
+"I never calculated to hear anything more of Duval arter this, but one
+day this young feller I've been tellin' you about shows up in New York
+and hunts me up. He tells me that he's old Raoul's son, and that he'd
+had a run of hard luck and so on, and wants to go into business, and if,
+for his father's sake, I'll help him out. I asks him how he found me
+out, and he says that in his father's letters home I had often been
+mentioned, and that when he heard of the Stubbs Towing Line he made
+inquiries and found that I was in all probability the same man.
+
+"As I told you, I let him have the money. It don't matter just how much,
+but it was quite a bit. You see, I did it for the old man's sake. I was
+sorry afterward. Young Duval wasn't a chip of the old block at all. He
+was idle and dissipated. His business went under and he skipped out."
+
+"Did you lend him this money without security of any sort?" asked Harry
+incredulously.
+
+"In a way, yes. In another way, no. The young chap, when he came to me,
+had a wild story about knowing where the steamer on which his dad lost
+his life had sunk. He said that from letters written home before he left
+Lower Californy, he knew the old man was carrying with him, besides the
+dust, a fortune in black pearls. Of course, all these went down when the
+steamer blew up. He had tried, he said, to get a lot of folks interested
+in a scheme to get at the wreck and recover the dust and the pearls, but
+they had all laughed at him. He said if I'd give him the money he wanted
+he'd give me, in return, the plan of the location whar' the steamer went
+down."
+
+"And did he?"
+
+"Yes; but since he acted as he did I guess there's no more truth in his
+yarn than there was in anything else he told me. Anyhow, I've never
+bothered my head about the matter since."
+
+"Have you got the plan?"
+
+"Sure enough," Ben fumbled in his pocket, "here it is; it's a roughly
+drawn thing, as you see, but I reckon if the ship was really there it
+would be an easy matter to locate her bones."
+
+Harry nodded. He was looking over the map with deep attention. It was,
+as Ben had said, a crudely drawn affair, and purported to have been
+sketched by one of the survivors of the wreck, who, of course, did not
+know that in the returning miner's cabin there was so much wealth.
+
+"How did young Duval get hold of this?" he asked at last.
+
+"He said that by chance he met a man who was the lone survivor of the
+disaster. This feller didn't know who Duval was, and began talking to
+him about the wreck. Duval, recollecting that his father had carried a
+sum that amounted to more than $75,000, was naturally interested. He
+asked the man if he could draw him a sketch of the scene where the
+steamer sank. The feller said he could, and that thar sketch is what he
+drawed. At least that's Duval's story, and I'm frank to tell you I don't
+believe a word of it."
+
+"But still you haven't told me what you are doing on this island," said
+Harry after an interval.
+
+"That's so, too, lad. I got so interested in tellin' my troubles I clean
+forgot about Barren Island. Well, it's this way. Arter the crash I felt
+ashamed to show my face. Oh, all the creditors were paid up--every last
+one of 'em. But I felt like I was an old failure, and good fer nuthin',
+so I remembered all of a sudden about this island that I'd been stranded
+on a good many years ago. I made inquiries and found that I could live
+here rent free as long as I liked, with none to interfere, and so I came
+here. It's quiet and might be lonesome to some folks, but it suits me
+well enough, and I was calculatin' to spend the rest of my days here,
+till you came along. But I feel different now."
+
+"How's that?" asked Harry, not knowing well just what to say to the old
+man who took his business failure so much to heart.
+
+"Why, I was watching you studyin' that map. I could see by yer face that
+you put some stock in Duval's yarn. Ain't that so?"
+
+Harry could not but confess that it was. The old man's story, and the
+map, had aroused in him the strong desire for adventure that both Boy
+Aviators possessed to a marked degree. Of course, from what Ben had
+said, Duval did not appear to be a person on whom much reliance could be
+placed, but then, again, there was the map, and it at least, even if
+crude, appeared to have been a genuine effort to mark the spot where the
+wreck lay. It showed a bayou marked "Black Bayou," running back from the
+main stream of the Mississippi. A black dot some distance up this bayou
+was lettered "Belle of New Orleans," presumably the name of the steamer
+on which Duval met his end.
+
+The boy was still pondering over the map when, from seaward, there came
+a sound that made both Harry Chester and Ben Stubbs spring to their
+feet.
+
+"It's a gun!" shouted the old man, as the booming echoes died away; "may
+be a ship in distress."
+
+"Hardly, in this weather," rejoined Harry, in a perplexed tone.
+
+But Ben Stubbs had darted from the shanty and was running for the
+beached skiff. A minute later Harry was close on his heels, and
+presently they were pulling around the point, about to run into the
+surprise of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.--A PUZZLING PROBLEM.
+
+
+It is now time that we returned to the island where we left Pudge
+Perkins patrolling the beach, and Frank Chester and Billy Barnes wrapped
+in slumber. Frank had set the alarm clock for midnight, when it had been
+arranged that he and Billy were to turn out on patrol, and its insistent
+clamor had only just commenced when he sprang out of his bunk broad
+awake and prepared to go on duty. Billy stretched and yawned a bit
+before he, too, tumbled out.
+
+"Gee whillakers!" he exclaimed, as he got into his clothes, "it seems to
+me that we are making a lot of fuss over nothing, Frank. I don't believe
+those fellows will come near the island to-night."
+
+"Perhaps not; but it's our duty to be on guard. If anything happened to
+Dr. Perkins' invention now it would be almost impossible to repair it in
+time for the tests he wants to make."
+
+Talking thus the two lads got into their clothes, drank some coffee,
+which Frank had prepared while they were dressing, and then set out into
+the night. They made for the cove from which Harry had started his
+eventful swim.
+
+"Best wait here till they come round," said Frank, and he and Billy
+found places in the sand and made themselves as comfortable as possible
+till they should hear the footsteps of one of the young sentries. They
+had not long to wait. Hardly fifteen minutes had elapsed before Frank's
+sharp ears caught the sound of some one approaching. A minute later
+Pudge joined them. His first words were not calculated to make the
+newcomers feel at ease.
+
+"Where's Harry?" he demanded.
+
+"Don't you know?" ejaculated Frank with considerable surprise.
+
+"No. I've been making my patrol regularly, and the last three times I've
+been round I haven't met him."
+
+Frank's face could only be dimly seen in the darkness, but all his alarm
+was plain enough in his next words.
+
+"What can have become of him?"
+
+"Maybe he took the dinghy and decided to look over the motor boat and
+the hulk," suggested Billy.
+
+"That's easy enough to find out," declared Frank, starting for the place
+where the dinghy had been beached. A moment later he stumbled over the
+anchor and, closely following this, by the aid of a lighted match, he
+made the discovery that the rope had been slashed.
+
+"Harry never took that dinghy," he exclaimed apprehensively, "there's
+been some crooked work here."
+
+"Thunder and turtles! What do you mean?" gasped Pudge, fully as
+anxiously.
+
+"That some one has landed here and stolen the dinghy and taken Harry
+along with them. I can't think of any other explanation. Harry would
+never have cut that rope."
+
+"You mean he's been carried off?" The question came from Billy Barnes.
+
+"I can't think of any other explanation. Pudge, did you hear anything
+that sounded suspicious?"
+
+"Oilskins and onions, no! Not a sound. Let's fire a pistol and see if we
+get any answer."
+
+"That's a good idea, Pudge--Great Scott!"
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Billy Barnes, as Frank broke off short and
+uttered the above exclamation.
+
+"Look here! Harry's clothes! Wait till I get a light. There! Now, see
+all his outer garments and his pistol lying by them."
+
+"Gatling guns and grass hoppers, if this doesn't beat all."
+
+"He can't have been carried off, then," burst out Billy, "but if he
+wasn't, how did that dinghy rope come to be cut?"
+
+Frank made no answer at the moment. The discovery of Harry's clothes on
+the beach had put a dreadful fear into his mind. What if the boy had
+heard a disturbance on the hulk or on the motor boat and, having swum
+off to see what was the trouble, had been seized with a cramp and
+drowned?
+
+But Frank firmly thrust the question from him the next minute. Such
+thoughts were by far too unnerving to be dwelt on. The others remained
+silent. They seemed to be waiting for Frank to speak. Presently the
+words came.
+
+"It's too dark to see anything out there," said the boy, in as firm a
+voice as he could command. "Let's fire three shots--the signal we agreed
+upon--and then if Harry is on the hulk or the motor boat he will be sure
+to answer them."
+
+The others agreed that this seemed about the best thing to do, and
+Pudge, taking Harry's discarded weapon, fired it three times. Then came
+a long pause, filled with an ominous silence.
+
+"Try again," said Frank in a strained voice. Once more three sharp
+reports sounded. But again there was no answer.
+
+"That settles it," declared Frank solemnly; "something has happened to
+Harry. We must get out to the hulk and to the motor boat."
+
+"How? The dinghy's gone, and----"
+
+"I'm going to swim for it."
+
+Already Frank had thrown off his outer garments. On the beach lay a balk
+of timber which they sometimes used to tie the dinghy to. Frank now
+ordered his companions to help in rolling this down to the water.
+
+"I'm going to use it as a help in swimming out there," he said; "the
+water's pretty cold, and I don't want to risk a cramp."
+
+"Wait till daylight, Frank," urged Billy; "it won't be long till dawn
+now, and----"
+
+But Frank cut him short abruptly.
+
+"My brother's out there somewhere," he said in a sharp, decisive voice,
+"and I'm going to find out what's happened to him."
+
+A minute later Frank was in the water pushing the balk of timber before
+him and heading, as nearly as he knew how, for the spot where the hulk
+and the motor boat had been moored.
+
+It was more than half an hour before Billy and Pudge saw him again. Then
+he reappeared, chilled through and shivering in every limb. His first
+words almost deprived his companions of breath.
+
+"They're gone!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What!" the exclamation came from both Billy and Pudge simultaneously.
+They guessed by some sort of intuition what Frank referred to.
+
+"Yes, they're both gone," repeated Frank; "the _Betsy Jane_ and the
+motor boat."
+
+"Are you sure you're not mistaken, Frank?" inquired Billy, unwilling to
+believe the extent of the catastrophe that had overtaken them.
+
+"I'm as sure that they're gone as I am that I am standing here," was the
+reply. "I cruised about on my log for quite a radius, and couldn't
+discover a sign of them. I found the motor boat's buoy, though. She had
+been untied by some one."
+
+"But the _Betsy Jane_? Schooners and succotash! The _Betsy Jane_!" broke
+in Pudge.
+
+"Gone, too," Frank's voice broke, "but I wouldn't care about either if I
+only knew what had become of Harry."
+
+"Come on up to the hut and we'll have some hot coffee and talk it over,"
+said Billy, who saw that Frank, besides being almost numb with cold, was
+half crazy at the mystery of Harry's fate.
+
+Frank suffered himself to be led up to the hut and the rest of the night
+was passed in speculation as to the fate of the missing boy. All three
+of the lads were pretty sure that the two Daniels had had a hand in the
+night's work somehow, but they were far from guessing what had actually
+occurred.
+
+Soon after daylight the wireless began working. Dr. Perkins notified
+them from Portland that he expected to arrive that afternoon at
+Motthaven, and wished them to meet him. Frank found some relief for his
+wrought-up feelings in informing the inventor of what had occurred.
+
+"Will charter fast boat and be there with all speed," came the reply
+through the air; "make the best of it till I come. Am confident that
+everything will come out all right."
+
+And with this message the "marooned" trio on the island had to be
+content. The day was passed in making a careful survey of the island to
+discover, if possible, some trace of the marauders. But none was to be
+found. The tide had even obliterated any footmarks they might have left
+in the damp sand. Thoroughly disheartened and miserable, the boys ate a
+scanty lunch and then sat down to await the arrival of Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was sundown when a fast motor boat appeared to the southward,
+cleaving the water at a rapid rate. A quarter of an hour later Dr.
+Perkins was hearing from the boys' own lips the strange story of their
+adventures of the past day and night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.--THE DERELICT DESTROYER.
+
+
+Assuredly it was a surprising sight that greeted the eyes of Harry and
+Ben Stubbs as the latter pulled the skiff around the point. Not half a
+mile away lay a dull, gray-colored craft like a gunboat, with the Stars
+and Stripes floating from her stern. From her bow a puff of smoke was
+drifting away, showing that she had been the craft that had fired the
+shot which had aroused them.
+
+But what could she be doing? Above all, why had the shot been fired?
+Harry's eyes furnished the answer as he saw that part of the rail of the
+schooner was missing, a jagged break showing where it had been torn
+away.
+
+"Great guns!" shouted Ben, "they've bin firin' at your old hulk."
+
+As he spoke there was a flash from the side of the lead-colored craft,
+and a projectile shrieked by above the pair in the boat, causing them to
+duck involuntarily.
+
+"Cracky!" shouted Harry, "I've got it. That craft is a derelict
+destroyer. One of Uncle Sam's craft whose duty it is to put obstructions
+to navigation out of the way."
+
+"You're right, boy, and they are bent on sending that there _Betsy Jane_
+to the bottom."
+
+"We must stop them," ejaculated Harry excitedly; "that schooner is
+wanted by Mr. Perkins to use in his experiments. That's why he had the
+runway built. We must signal them somehow."
+
+"No need to, lad. See, here comes a boat."
+
+Sure enough, as he spoke a cutter was lowered from the warlike-looking
+vessel's side, and before long, impelled by muscular arms, it was flying
+over the water toward the hulk.
+
+"Pull round and meet them," suggested Harry.
+
+But Ben was already doing that very thing. So fast did the government
+cutter approach that just as the skiff was rounding the stern of the
+ill-used _Betsy Jane_, the former craft, with a dapper young officer in
+the stern, was drawing alongside the hulk.
+
+The astonishment of the officer was great when Harry explained matters.
+
+"It's lucky that I decided to make an examination into the effect of the
+shots already fired before I finished her up," he laughed. "I am in
+command of the United States derelict destroyer _Seneca_, yonder. We've
+just despatched an old hulk some miles out at sea, and when, on our
+return down the coast, we saw your old hull, we thought it was a good
+chance to try out a new kind of gun we have to despatch these menaces to
+navigation."
+
+"I'm glad we heard your first shot in time to explain matters," said
+Harry; "this craft belongs to Dr. Perkins, the aëronautical inventor,
+who wishes to use it in some experiments. As I told you, I unfortunately
+drifted to sea in it when some rascals cut the rope."
+
+The officer sympathized to the full with Harry and offered to give him a
+spark plug for his motor boat from a supply carried for a similar craft
+on board the _Seneca_.
+
+"But," he continued, "I've got a better plan than that. I'm bound down
+the coast. I know Dr. Perkins slightly and should be glad to do him a
+service. Why not accept a tow from me? I'll get you to Brig Island by
+nightfall anyway, and that's much quicker than you could tow this hulk
+with the motor boat, even if you _could_ get her off the sand."
+
+Harry gladly agreed to this arrangement. A line was made fast to the
+_Betsy Jane_ and affixed to the towing bitts of the derelict destroyer.
+The tide by this time had turned, and after a short struggle the _Betsy
+Jane_ once more floated in deep water.
+
+"I don't know if this is exactly regular," remarked the young officer in
+command, when the hulk lay bobbing astern of the trim and trig
+government craft, "but I guess it's all in the line of duty. So come on
+board."
+
+Harry and Ben were in the skiff alongside the _Betsy Jane_ when this
+offer was made.
+
+Without hesitation Harry stepped upon the companionway. He turned to
+Ben, and was about to bid that veteran adventurer good-by, with a
+promise to visit Barren Island in the near future, when, to his
+astonishment, Ben calmly hitched his skiff alongside the motor boat and
+stepped up after him.
+
+"I reckon I've had about enough of that island," he said; "I'm a-goin'
+to ship with you on this cruise if it's agreeable."
+
+"Agreeable?" laughed Harry. "Why, Ben, you are as welcome as the flowers
+in May. But haven't you left a lot of stuff behind on the island?"
+
+"Nothing that 'ull hurt. The only other suit I own you've got on, and
+funny enough you look in it, too," and Ben chuckled; "as for the hut and
+what grub's left, and so forth, any one's welcome to 'em that takes a
+fancy to 'em. I've got a bit left in the bank yet, and I guess I can
+afford a new outfit anyway, so heave ahead, Mister Skipper, as soon as
+you're ready."
+
+The officer, who had watched this scene in some astonishment, broke into
+a laugh.
+
+"I see you are an individual of impulse," he said, "but if you want to
+go along it will spare my sending a man on board the schooner to help
+our young friend."
+
+"Waal, then, it's an arrangement that's agreeable to all parties,"
+rejoined Ben, lighting his pipe; "so that's all settled."
+
+A short time later the _Seneca_ moved ahead, at first slowly, and then
+faster, while the wandering _Betsy Jane_ followed docilely after her
+through the now calm sea. True to Lieut. MacAllister's promise, they
+were off Brig Island by sunset. As deep water extended close inshore,
+the derelict destroyer was enabled to tow the hulk almost up to the
+boys' "front door," so to speak, and from the beach a little group set
+up a loud cheer as the _Betsy Jane's_ spare anchor rattled down and she
+swung at rest.
+
+The presence of the little party to witness the arrival is due to the
+fact that Lieut. MacAllister, who knew from Harry that there was a
+wireless on the island, had kept his operator busy sending "bulletins"
+to Dr. Perkins all the way down the coast; and so, when first the
+_Seneca's_ smoke streaked the horizon, all was ready to give the
+returned wanderer a big reception.
+
+The _Betsy Jane_, having been safely anchored, the _Seneca_, with three
+toots of her siren, departed on her way, while Harry and Ben lost no
+time in tumbling into the skiff and rowing ashore. To describe what took
+place then would take up a lot of space without giving any clearer
+picture of the reunion that each of you can imagine for himself.
+
+Readers of the former volumes of this series know how highly the Boy
+Aviators regarded Ben Stubbs, and after a short conversation with him
+Dr. Perkins came to share their good opinion of the rugged old
+adventurer. It would be impossible to tell with accuracy how many times
+that night Harry's story was told, and how many times Frank and the
+others repeated the tale of their anxious hours while he was missing.
+The first wireless flash from the _Seneca_, Frank described as "the best
+thing that ever happened." This opinion the others heartily echoed.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Perkins, as at last they made ready to "turn in," "all
+is well that ends well, and to-morrow I have an announcement of some
+interest to make to you lads. From my inspection of the work done so far
+on the '_Sea Eagle_,' as I have decided to christen her, I think that
+within a few days we can take her on her trial trip."
+
+"Anchors and aëroplanes!" shouted Pudge, in high glee, "I book passage
+right now!"
+
+"And I--and I--and I," came from the others, while Ben Stubbs inquired
+plaintively if there would be room for him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.--THE FLIGHT OF THE "SEA EAGLE."
+
+
+Having already given a brief description of Dr. Perkins' _Sea Eagle_, it
+would be wearisome to dwell in detail on all that was done during the
+next week to put that craft in shape for the final tests, upon which so
+much depended. It may be said here, though, that besides a visit paid to
+Motthaven in an effort to secure the apprehension of the two Daniels, a
+search was prosecuted for the missing dinghy. Neither mission proved
+successful.
+
+The Daniels, having discovered that Harry was on board the _Betsy Jane_
+after they cut that craft loose, had vanished from the little community.
+As for the dinghy, it was supposed that they had taken that small craft
+with them. At any rate, it was impossible to get any news of their
+whereabouts on shore. This may be attributed to a distinct prejudice
+felt by the fishing community against the dwellers on Brig Island. Your
+down-easter is inquisitive to a degree, and the secrecy under which
+operations on the island were carried on was felt as a distinct affront
+to the little town. So therefore, although the local authorities
+promised every co-operation in seeking out the Daniels and punishing
+them for their outrageous conduct, it may be doubted if the efforts went
+much further than the mere assurance.
+
+But after all, in the rush of interesting work that was now on hand, the
+Daniels were almost forgotten. The _Betsy Jane_ had been towed round
+into the nearer cove, where she could be constantly watched, and the
+motor boat was used in the operation, the officer of the derelict
+destroyer having fulfilled his promise to furnish the boys with a new
+spark plug for the engine in place of the one taken by the marauders.
+
+The morning after Harry's return to the island Dr. Perkins had laid down
+a systematic plan of action. Frank and Harry were assigned to aid him in
+giving the finishing touches to the _Sea Eagle_, while his son and Billy
+Barnes were set to work with axes to clear a sort of runway down to the
+beach. Both Billy and Pudge would much rather have had a hand in the
+mechanical part of the work, but they pluckily went ahead on their
+designated duty and stuck to it till a broad path had been cleared from
+the summit of the island to the margin of the beach.
+
+When this "roadway" through the brush had been cleared, two lines of
+planking, firmly nailed to stout supports, were run down on each side of
+it, forming a sort of railway, similar to those from which vessels are
+launched.
+
+It was down this runway that it was designed to introduce the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her initial plunge. At last the day arrived when all was
+complete, and the _Sea Eagle_ was pronounced fit for the test. During
+the night before this event not one of the boys got more than half his
+usual allowance of sleep. In fact, it is doubtful if Dr. Perkins enjoyed
+much more repose.
+
+By earliest dawn they were out, to find every promise of a glorious day.
+Breakfast that morning was a hasty apology for a meal, and hardly had it
+been gulped down before all hands were in the _Sea Eagle's_ shed. As has
+been said, the boat-like underbody of the craft had been mounted on a
+wheeled frame before it was assembled. All that had to be done then to
+get everything in readiness for the final test was to make fast a block
+and tackle to a stoutly rooted tree, and then wheel the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the top of the inclined runway.
+
+When the odd-looking craft was safely poised on the top of the rails the
+loose end of the tackle was made fast to the stern of the substructure,
+and Billy, Pudge and Harry were delegated to "belay" the rope as
+required. Frank and Dr. Perkins seated themselves in the "boat," and at
+the words "Let her go!" the _Sea Eagle_ in her wheeled frame began her
+descent down the runway. By means of the tackle the three boys at the
+summit of the incline easily controlled the novel craft's descent,
+stopping from time to time while Dr. Perkins and Frank made a survey to
+see that all was going well.
+
+"Bunting and buttercakes!" grumbled Pudge, as the boys alternately "let
+go" and "hauled in" on the tackle, "I thought a launching was more of a
+gala event than this."
+
+"I guess the doctor is too anxious to test out the _Sea Eagle_ to bother
+with the trimmings," laughed Harry; "it's _results_ that he's after."
+
+As a matter of fact, the launching of the _Sea Eagle_ was a very mild
+affair compared with what might have been expected. Had the villagers
+ashore known of it, doubtless a small fleet of boats would have been
+lying off the cove to witness it, but it was for that very reason that
+the deepest secrecy had been observed, and that the early hour had been
+chosen. As Dr. Perkins said, he "didn't want any fuss and feathers" made
+over what was merely, after all, an experiment.
+
+The rolling glide down the runway was made without incident, and at last
+the bow of the _Sea Eagle's_ "hull" struck the water. A cheer went up
+then that, rang shrill and clear out over the calm sea. Even Dr. Perkins
+joined in the enthusiasm, as well he might, for the goal of his ambition
+was in sight at last.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ had been sent on her initial voyage without the
+aëroplane wings or the auxiliary lifting bags being attached. It was
+desired, first of all, to try out her qualities as a water skimmer. As
+soon as she was fairly afloat, the wheeled carriage on which the descent
+had been made was drawn ashore. Having been weighted before the start
+was made, it of course sank under the _Sea Eagle_ when the sea and air
+craft floated, thus allowing it to be reclaimed with ease.
+
+"Looks like a butterfly with its wings clipped off," commented Billy
+Barnes as, with the others, he hastened to the beach as soon as their
+task was over.
+
+Indeed, the odd-shaped hull, with its naked frame and two gaunt aërial
+propellers, did look strangely incomplete. But the boys knew that the
+wings were all ready for instant attachment. In fact, it was one of the
+features of the _Sea Eagle_ that the craft was capable of being taken to
+pieces and put together again with very little loss of time or labor.
+
+As the hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ floated clear of the
+weighted frame in which it had made its journey to the beach, Frank
+looked inquiringly at the inventor. His hand was on the self-starting
+device which put the powerful motor in operation. Dr. Perkins was
+actually pale, and Frank could see that his strong hand shook
+perceptibly as he nodded his head.
+
+But he mastered his nervousness quickly, and, grasping the
+steering-wheel in a firm grip, he spoke:
+
+"You can start up now," he said.
+
+Frank turned the starting handle, admitting a charge of gas to the
+cylinders. Then he pressed a button and instantly the motor responded
+with a roar and a series of explosions, like those of a battery of
+gatling guns going into action. Having started it he admitted gasolene,
+and adjusted the carburetor till the cylinders were all working
+steadily.
+
+Close to Dr. Perkins' hand was a lever. This, when moved, "threw in" the
+clutch connecting the motor with the driving mechanism. Directly Frank
+had finished tuning up the motor Dr. Perkins' hand reached for the
+lever. He jerked it nervously back. There was a whirr and a buzz, as the
+chains whirled the twin propellers round, and at the same instant the
+_Sea Eagle_ darted forward like an arrow from a bow.
+
+Faster and faster she went, getting up speed with seemingly marvelous
+rapidity. But instead of driving deeper into the water, under the
+pressure of the aërial propellers which rushed her forward through the
+atmosphere, the faster the _Sea Eagle_ was driven the more lightly did
+the craft skim the surface of the water, till at top speed--2,000
+revolutions a minute--her bottom barely touched the water. This was owing
+to the peculiar construction of the hull, which was designed so as to
+"plane" the water in exactly the manner it did.
+
+Cheer after cheer broke from the lads on shore as they saw the swift
+craft dart off, slicing the tops of the small waves like a cream
+skimmer. Dr. Perkins circumnavigated the island three times before he
+gave the signal to Frank to slow down. Then, releasing the clutch, the
+inventor allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to come to rest, with its bow almost
+touching the beach.
+
+"Now we will have a weight test," he announced; "come on, boys."
+
+The lads ashore surely needed no second invitation. Without bothering to
+remove shoes or stockings they waded into the water and out to the _Sea
+Eagle's_ side. In less time than it takes to tell it they were swarming
+over the side of the cockpit and struggling for positions near the
+engine. But Dr. Perkins made them arrange themselves so that their
+weight would be evenly distributed. Ben Stubbs and Harry sat in the
+extreme stern, while Pudge and Billy occupied opposite seats amidships.
+
+This done, off darted the _Sea Eagle_ once more, and speedily set at
+rest all doubts as to her capability to "plane," or skim the water,
+under an added load.
+
+"It's like riding on a floating island over a sea of raspberry ice cream
+soda," declared Billy, when he was asked later to describe his
+sensations.
+
+But a severer test awaited the _Sea Eagle_, namely, the trying out of
+her capacity actually to rise into the air. The craft was run partially
+ashore, and the great wings bolted in place and the stay wires adjusted.
+The stay wires were tightened by turn buckles till they were taut as
+fiddle strings, assuring stability of the wings. But in addition the
+wings were, of course, partially supported on the light but strong
+skeleton framework before noticed.
+
+Much to the disappointment of the others, only Frank and Harry Chester
+and Dr. Perkins were to participate in the flying trials. But they took
+it all in good part, being promised rides later if the tests were
+successful. As before, the _Sea Eagle_, after she had been backed off
+and the propellers started, skimmed along the top of the water like a
+flying fish. But all at once the watchers on shore saw her rise bodily
+from the water and soar upward into the air. Higher and higher went the
+craft, gliding like a gull through the ether. It was an inspiring sight,
+and a perfect tornado of yells broke from Ben Stubbs, Billy and Pudge.
+But those on board the _Sea Eagle_ could not hear the sounds of
+enthusiasm above the roaring of the motor.
+
+Under Dr. Perkins' skillful guidance the _Sea Eagle_ climbed the aërial
+staircase till a height shown by the barograph to be almost 4,000 feet
+had been attained.
+
+"Now to test the buoyancy apparatus," cried the doctor suddenly. "Shut
+off power, Frank."
+
+Frank, who knew what was coming, obeyed the order and turned a valve
+admitting the pure hydrogen gas from one of the cylinders into the
+buoyancy devices. Instantly the upper wings swelled, till they resembled
+puffed-out mattresses more than anything else, and the "volplaning"
+downward movement was perceptibly checked. But, setting the descending
+device, Dr. Perkins headed the _Sea Eagle_ for the water, and,
+skillfully manipulating the craft, landed it as lightly as a drifting
+feather on the water by the hull of the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Now came a further trial of the capabilities of the wonderful new craft
+which, so far, had proven such a success. Dr. Perkins set the planes in
+a rising position and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to hover above the _Betsy
+Jane_, like the bird for which the aërial craft had been named. Then
+suddenly he began a rapid descent, landing finally on the very summit of
+the inclined runway before mentioned. The sides of the _Sea Eagle_ were
+equipped with large metal hooks, which were hastily thrown out by the
+boys and attached to four "eyes" arranged to receive them.
+
+When this had been done the suction pump was set to work, and the
+inflated wings emptied of the gas, which was forced back into its
+receiver, and the valve closed. It was calculated that less than two per
+cent of the gas was lost during the process. The _Sea Eagle_ was now
+once more a simple hydroplane, without any buoyancy device.
+
+At a word from Dr. Perkins the hooks which had held the machine in place
+were disengaged, and instantly the craft began to glide down the runway.
+Half way down the engine was started, and when the graceful craft
+reached the abrupt end of the incline, the _Sea Eagle_ went soaring off
+into space like a huge white-winged bird. This test was regarded by Dr.
+Perkins as the most important, for it proved the entire practicability
+of launching the _Sea Eagle_ from a ship far out on the ocean.
+
+After circling in the air a few times the tests were concluded by a
+rapid drop toward the earth right above the summit of the island. Just
+as it seemed as if the new craft must end her career by being dashed to
+bits against the construction shed, a skillful twist of the steering
+device sent her soaring upward once more. Two more swinging aërial loops
+were described, and then, with hardly a jar or vibration, the _Sea
+Eagle_ was brought to rest by her inventor, almost in front of the shed
+where she had been assembled.
+
+As the thrilling and wonderful trip was concluded, the boys came
+pressing about Dr. Perkins, showering congratulations and good wishes.
+
+"Why, one could fly across the ocean in such a craft," declared Frank
+enthusiastically.
+
+The others laughed, but, to their astonishment, Dr. Perkins looked
+perfectly serious.
+
+"I have a long trip in view," he said, "a flight that will test every
+wire and bolt in the _Sea_ _Eagle's_ construction. I did not announce
+this before for I wished first to see if everything worked
+satisfactorily."
+
+"No doubt about that," said Billy Barnes with enthusiasm. He had been
+dodging about the great flying machine, taking photos from every
+possible angle.
+
+"No," admitted Dr. Perkins; "I must say that so far the _Sea Eagle_ is
+all that I could desire. But the final test will put that beyond the
+shadow of a doubt. Do you boys wish to undertake a long trip?"
+
+"Cookies and cucumbers! Do we!" roared Pudge, as the others pressed
+eagerly about to hear the unveiling of the doctor's plan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.--"C. Q. D.!"
+
+
+But they were compelled to curb their impatience till that evening after
+supper, for the doctor set every one busily to work "stabling" the _Sea
+Eagle_ and attending to the engines after the hard test they had
+undergone. Every part was carefully gone over, and it was found that
+despite the strain of the novel craft's first try-out, nothing save a
+few minor adjustments were required.
+
+"Now, dad," said Pudge, after the dishes had been washed and Ben had his
+pipe going, and the others were perched on the edge of the lower bunks,
+like so many birds on a rail, "now, then, dad, we are ready to hear your
+plans for that cruise."
+
+Dr. Perkins smiled.
+
+"I'm afraid, my boy," he said, "that you are in for a disappointment.
+While I thoroughly believe the _Sea Eagle_ is capable of conveying our
+whole party through almost anything, I am unwilling to place too great a
+burden on her at her first long-distance trial."
+
+Pudge's face lengthened.
+
+"Oceans and octopuses!" he groaned, "I s'pose I'm to be left behind, as
+usual."
+
+"I'm afraid it will be necessary," was the reply; "you see, there will
+only be room under my present plan for experienced navigators. But not
+to keep you in suspense any longer, my present plan is to cruise down
+the coast to Florida, round that peninsula, and then fly up to New
+Orleans, and then possibly I might test out the _Sea Eagle_ still
+further on a flight up the Mississippi."
+
+"Wow! And we're to miss all that?"
+
+"Not _all_ of it, Pudge," smiled the doctor. "I was planning to send you
+and Billy on ahead to meet us at New Orleans and make arrangements for
+our arrival there."
+
+"Cookies and catamounts! That's not so bad. I've always longed to see
+New Orleans. But, then, would you take us with you up the Mississippi?"
+
+"If we go--yes."
+
+"Look a-here," struck in Ben's bass voice at this point, "I don't want
+to butt in, or nothing like that, doctor; but this here is a cruise that
+just suits me. Would you have any objection if I went along with ther
+boys ter New Orleans?"
+
+"Why, I hadn't thought of it," confessed Dr. Perkins.
+
+"You see, I've got some partic'lar business down that way," said Ben,
+with a portentous wink at Harry; "ain't I, Harry?"
+
+The boy addressed instantly guessed that Ben referred to the supposed
+treasure trove lying at the bottom of the Black Bayou. Now, in the rush
+of events following Harry's return from his strange cruise on the _Betsy
+Jane_, he had quite forgotten about Raoul Duval's map. But now it
+flashed back on him, and the recollection caused him to flush with
+excitement.
+
+Dr. Perkins looked puzzled, while a glance of intelligence shot between
+the grizzled old adventurer and the boy.
+
+"Have I got your leave to tell about the sunken steamer?" inquired
+Harry.
+
+"Sure. Heave ahead, my boy," was the hearty answer; "I was never much of
+a hand at spinning a yarn."
+
+"Pirates and petticoats! What's all this about a yarn and a sunken
+ship?" demanded Pudge.
+
+"Sounds like some fresh adventure. Anything like the Buena Ventura
+cruise?" asked Billy Barnes, referring, of course, to their experiences
+in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+"I hope not," laughed Harry. "No, this is a much tamer affair," he
+continued. "Ben, here, thinks that he knows of a craft sunk in a bayou
+off the Mississippi, on board of which is a small fortune in gold dust
+and black pearls."
+
+"Gold dust and black pearls!" cried Billy Barnes. "Wow! that sounds like
+a regular story."
+
+"Suppose we let Harry heave ahead, as Ben calls it, and tell us what all
+this is about," suggested Frank quietly. But his eyes were shining. He
+knew that what Harry was about to communicate must be of deep interest
+from the manner in which the boy had spoken.
+
+"Yes, let us hear the story," said Dr. Perkins; "since we plan to be
+down in that region, anything of interest to be investigated will add to
+the pleasure of the trip."
+
+Thereupon Harry, without further delay, plunged into the narrative as
+Ben had related it to him. He was interrupted from time to time by
+excited exclamations, but at last he finished his narration and then,
+turning to Dr. Perkins, he said:
+
+"What do you think of it, sir?"
+
+"Aye, aye," growled out Ben, "supposin' the yarn is true, have I got a
+legal right to the stuff?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, if you have papers assigning the claim to you," said Mr.
+Perkins, after a moment's thought.
+
+"Oh, I've got them fast enough. I was goin' to chuck 'em away, but I
+thought better of it. Glad I did now, but you see I never thought I'd
+have a chance to go down there."
+
+Ben reached into his pocket and drew out a battered, brown leather
+wallet. From it he produced Raoul Duval's promise to deed him his
+(Duval's) interest in the supposed treasure chest, providing the loan
+Ben had made the mining man's son was not repaid. He handed the document
+to Dr. Perkins, who perused it with knitted brows.
+
+"This certainly appears to give you a legal claim to whatever may be of
+value in the late Duval's effects," he said.
+
+"Then you think it is worth looking into?"
+
+"By all means. While the story sounds fanciful to a degree, it is not
+much more so than plenty of recorded cases. At all events, no harm can
+be done by trying to locate the wreck, and it may be the means of
+rehabilitating your fortunes."
+
+"I dunno what that means," grinned Ben, "but if it signifies that I'm to
+get some money out of the cruise, I'm willing right now to split it up
+any way it suits you."
+
+"We can talk about that later," said Dr. Perkins, with a smile at the
+old man's enthusiasm; "now would you mind letting me have a look at that
+map to which Harry has referred?"
+
+"Here it be," grunted Ben, once more diving into the wallet and
+producing the map that Harry had looked over on Barren Island.
+
+"At any rate, this looks definite enough," declared Dr. Perkins after a
+careful examination of it. "Of course, as this Duval appears to be a
+thorough rascal, he may have 'cooked this up,' as the saying goes, in
+order to induce you to make him a loan. But certain things about it make
+me believe that it may be genuine. I recall reading some time ago a
+newspaper account of mysteries of the Mississippi, and among them was an
+account of the serious disaster to the _Belle of New Orleans_, so, at
+any rate, that part of the story is authentic enough."
+
+"Meanin' it's true," murmured Ben. "Waal, if you'll help me we'll soon
+find out the truth of it, or otherwise."
+
+"As I said," rejoined Dr. Perkins, "I had intended to cruise up the
+Mississippi from New Orleans. What you have told us furnishes us with a
+distinct object in making the trip, and," he added with a smile, "I
+suppose the spice of adventure about it does not displease the lads
+here."
+
+Frank was about to reply when, from the wireless table, there came a
+queer buzzing sound from an instrument which the boy had connected with
+his detector.
+
+"Hullo! some one is sending out a message," he exclaimed, "and our wires
+have caught it. Wonder what it can be."
+
+The boy rose and went over to the wireless table. Seating himself on the
+stool in front of the instruments he adjusted the "phones" and began
+putting his variable condenser in tune to catch whatever message was
+pulsing through the air.
+
+"What's coming?" demanded Harry, as the instruments began to crackle and
+snap.
+
+"Don't know yet," spoke Frank, again changing the capacity of the
+condenser; "looks as if----"
+
+He ceased speaking suddenly. Sliding his hand across the table he made
+an adjustment to catch longer sound waves. Instantly a hail of aërial
+dots and dashes came pattering against his ear drums, like rain on a
+window pane.
+
+With startling suddenness Frank sensed the meaning of the storm of
+desperate flashes.
+
+"C-Q-D! C-Q-D! C-Q-D!"
+
+"Some one out at sea is calling us in distress!" he cried loudly. The
+others, brim full of excitement, rose and crowded about him. But Frank
+waved them back.
+
+"No questions yet, please!" he said sharply, and then bent all his
+faculties to catching the voice out of the black night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.--"GOOD LUCK!"
+
+
+The silence in the hut was absolute as Frank bent low over his
+instruments. Even Pudge was subdued for once. There is something
+thrillingly dramatic to the most phlegmatic of temperaments in the idea
+of a wireless call for aid. Across unknown miles the message comes
+winging through the air--an appeal out of space.
+
+Of course, the others could not catch what was coming, for the whisper
+of the wireless waves sounds faint and shadowy even to one with the
+"phones" clasped to his ears. But Frank's manner showed plainly enough
+that, whatever was winging its way to his organs of hearing, was
+exciting to the last degree.
+
+Suddenly the boy switched to his transmitting apparatus. With his helix
+he began attuning the length of his sparks, while the snake-like blue
+flame hissed and crackled across the "high-efficiency" spark gap. It
+looked like a living thing of lambent fire, as it writhed and screamed
+in response to the pressure on the key.
+
+"What's wanted? Where are you?"
+
+This was the message that went speeding out on the air waves from the
+aërials above the hut.
+
+"This is the yacht _Wanderer_, from New York to Rocktown. We have struck
+a derelict and are leaking badly. Who are you?"
+
+"A station on Brig Island, about four miles at sea from Motthaven. Where
+are you?"
+
+The latter question was unanswered for the time being. Instead came
+another query:
+
+"Have you any means by which you can get to our assistance? We are in
+dire peril."
+
+"We will try to aid you. But what is your position?"
+
+"Wait. I'll look at the chart."
+
+There came a pause, during which Frank rapidly detailed what he had
+heard to the eager group of listeners. But in the midst of it the
+unknown sender broke in once more.
+
+"We are about twenty miles to the southeast of you, on an almost
+straight course. Can keep afloat only a few hours longer. Can you get
+tug from the mainland?"
+
+"Impossible," flashed back Frank, "but will do what we can. Are you at
+anchor?"
+
+"No, but the drift is very little. We are off soundings. Can you come to
+our aid?"
+
+Frank's fingers pressed down on the key firmly. Rapidly he sent this
+message pulsating:
+
+"How many on board?"
+
+"Three. Owner, a friend and a hand."
+
+"All right. Standby!"
+
+"Good-by, and hurry," came out of the night, and then--silence.
+
+Frank disconnected his instruments and turned to the others. Rapidly he
+detailed the impending tragedy out there in the darkness.
+
+"Can't we get to them in the motor boat?" demanded Harry breathlessly.
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"Not in the time we have. They can't keep afloat much longer, recollect.
+What can be done? Is there no way we can help them?"
+
+"Yes, there is."
+
+The words came quietly but in a decided tone from Dr. Perkins. Frank was
+the first to guess the import of the speech.
+
+"The _Sea Eagle_!" he exclaimed excitedly.
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+"Yes. Here is our chance to test her in the service of humanity. She is
+ready for flight this instant."
+
+"But in the darkness? How can we pick up this yacht?"
+
+"By the searchlight. Most likely the yacht has rockets. When she sees
+our searchlight she will send some up. That will give us her bearings.
+The general location of the craft we know."
+
+"Are we all to go?" demanded Pudge.
+
+"Hardly," rejoined his father, slipping into an overcoat, for the night
+was somewhat chilly, though the air was calm. "Frank and Harry, I need
+you two. You others await our return. Have hot coffee and food ready, as
+the survivors may be in need of nourishment."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," responded Ben; "and now, sir, if I may give a bit of
+advice, lose no time in getting away. I've been in some sea disasters
+myself, and sometimes every second counts."
+
+"You're right, Stubbs," ejaculated Dr. Perkins. "Boys, get the _Sea
+Eagle_ ready. I'll bring along the searchlight."
+
+While Frank and Harry hastened on their errand, Dr. Perkins got the
+searchlight out of its locker. It was a small but powerful one,
+constructed so as to fit into a socket on the _Sea Eagle's_ "bow." Its
+light was supplied from a small dynamo connected with the engine of the
+sea-and-air craft. By the time the doctor was ready the _Sea Eagle_ had
+been wheeled out of her shed, and Frank gave a sharp hail.
+
+"All ready, doctor!"
+
+"With you in a moment, my boy," was the response, as the inventor
+hastened out into the darkness.
+
+The outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ loomed up gray and ghostly in the gloom.
+Only a tiny speck of light showed in her bow by the steering wheel,
+where a minute electric bulb shed light on the compass. This light was
+obtained from a storage battery of peculiarly light construction,
+connected with the dynamo before mentioned.
+
+The boys had clambered on board as soon as the airship had been wheeled
+out of its shed. They extended their hands to Dr. Perkins and helped him
+on board. The searchlight was put in place and its wires connected to
+the storage battery. A snap of a switch and a sharp pencil of light cut
+the night. The appliance worked to perfection.
+
+"Now, then," said the doctor, as he took the wheel, "the less time we
+lose, the better. Frank, you had better apply the buoyancy apparatus, as
+we must make an abrupt rise to clear the trees."
+
+"Why not launch from the runway?" inquired Frank; "wouldn't that be
+quicker?"
+
+"That's right. I think it would. Head the prow round for the rails."
+
+Willing hands pushed the _Sea Eagle_ around, for on her ball-bearing
+supporting wheels she handled very easily, despite her great weight.
+
+Presently the craft was poised at the summit of the incline, ready for
+her rush downward.
+
+"Give her power!" cried the doctor.
+
+Frank seized the self-starting lever, and gave it a twirl. A pressure of
+his forefinger on the button followed, and almost simultaneously the
+motor began to thunder and roar.
+
+"Right here!" cried Frank.
+
+"All right. Hold tight. I'm going to apply full power."
+
+Dr. Perkins jerked back the clutch lever as he spoke. There was a
+jarring shock, and then a downward rush through the night, the
+searchlight cutting a blazing white path through the blackness. Down,
+down they raced at terrific speed. Suddenly the jarring movement ceased.
+The _Sea Eagle_ appeared to glide upward as if drawn skyward by
+invisible ropes. As the craft left the rails, and began soaring to the
+stars that looked quietly down on the exciting scene, a sound was borne
+upward to the aërial voyagers.
+
+"Good-by."
+
+And then an instant later in Ben's stentorian tones:
+
+"So long, mates! Go-o-o-d luck!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.--THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Up and out into the night winged the great sea-and-air craft, the
+powerful motors working without a skip, and the propellers beating the
+air with a noise like the drone of a mastadonic bee--or more
+appropriately, night beetle. Above shone the stars, steady points of
+brightness in the dark blue canopy of heavens; below stretched the
+silent, empty sea, heaving gently. The air was calm and still, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ cleaved her way through it powerfully. Dr. Perkins set the
+course at due southeast, and kept a careful eye on the compass.
+
+"What speed are we making?" shouted Frank presently.
+
+The inventor glanced at the aërial speed meter, a device of his own
+invention.
+
+"Close to fifty," he shouted back, for, owing to the roar of the engines
+and propellers, it was necessary to raise the voice in speaking to any
+one at a distance.
+
+"Then we should be in the vicinity in half an hour?"
+
+"Yes; that is unless----"
+
+But Dr. Perkins broke off abruptly. The _Sea Eagle_ had now attained a
+height of some five hundred feet, at which altitude he intended to keep
+the craft till they reached the vicinity of the disabled yacht.
+
+The cause of the sudden breaking off of his shouted remarks was this:
+Without the slightest warning the _Sea Eagle_ gave a sickening dip
+downward, and rushed toward the sea; or rather, to those in the falling
+ship, it seemed as if the sea was racing up devouringly toward them.
+
+"Gracious, what's happened?" shouted Harry.
+
+But Frank was too busy with the engine to answer just then.
+
+"Power! Give me lots of power!" yelled Dr. Perkins.
+
+But although Frank instantly opened up the motor to its full capacity of
+two thousand revolutions a minute, the downward rush still continued.
+
+"The sea! We'll be plunged into the sea!" cried Harry, in alarm,
+gripping a side support.
+
+Indeed there appeared to be good cause for his apprehension, for the
+_Sea Eagle_ was falling like a stone flung into space. All this, of
+course, took place in far less time than it takes to describe or to read
+it. In fact, hardly had Harry shouted his fears before the _Sea Eagle's_
+"hull"--as we must call the hydroplane part of the craft--struck the
+water, and a huge cloud of spray flew high on either side.
+
+But instead of diving, the _Sea Eagle_ shot forward over the waves,
+gliding over their tops for some time before Frank shut off the motor.
+Even then such was the "shooting" velocity gained, that the _Sea Eagle_
+still continued to scoot along until the young engineer, in response to
+Dr. Perkins' instructions, reversed her propellers, and thus brought the
+craft to a speedy standstill.
+
+"What on earth happened?" demanded Frank anxiously, as the _Sea Eagle_
+lay still, bobbing up and down on the gentle swell.
+
+"We struck an air pocket. An empty hole in space where there was no
+ether to support us," explained Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Gracious; I thought we were goners," cried Harry, still a little shaky
+over the fearful sensation of the fall.
+
+"Had the _Sea Eagle_ been of different construction we should have dived
+as straight to the bottom as a loon," said the inventor, "but the
+spoonlike construction of the bow allowed me to handle her so that,
+instead of the impulse of the fall being downward, it was diverted into
+a forward movement along the surface."
+
+"Shall we go up again?" asked Frank, after a hasty examination had been
+made to ascertain if anything had parted or snapped under the strain of
+the suddenly arrested tumble through the air pocket.
+
+"Yes. We had better lose as little time as possible," was the rejoinder.
+"If you are ready, start the engine up, and we will try a flight from
+the surface of the water."
+
+"You want full power?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes; but start up gently at first, gradually increasing to top
+velocity. I think, however, that we shall leave the water at about 1,500
+revolutions a minute."
+
+The next minute the roar of the newly started engine prevented further
+conversation. In order to develop every ounce of power of which the
+motor was capable Frank had opened the muffler cut-out, and the uproar
+was terrific. Spurts of greenish flame spouted from the exhausts, and
+the acrid smell of burning oil and gasolene filled the air. To any one
+less accustomed than the Boy Aviators to the uproar of aërial motors,
+the noise would have been alarming to say the least. They, however, were
+too much used to such scenes to pay any attention to it.
+
+Faster and faster the _Sea Eagle_ sped over the waves, till her keel
+barely touched the tips of the swells. Then suddenly the jerky motion
+ceased, and the craft, buoyed by its wings, began to soar upward in a
+steadily increasing gradient. Before ten minutes had passed they were
+once more on an even keel at a five-hundred-feet altitude, and bearing
+steadily for the southwest.
+
+Frank looked at his watch.
+
+"We ought to be getting pretty close to that yacht by now," he remarked
+to Harry, who had seated himself at his side, and was assisting in
+attending to the lubrication and watching of the motor.
+
+"I'll keep a sharp lookout," rejoined Harry; "they surely ought to hear
+the noise of our motor and send up a rocket or wave lights, or
+something, if they are in the vicinity.
+
+"That's just what I think. Keep your eyes open while I watch the
+engine."
+
+Harry peered out into the night, but as far as he could see nothing
+appeared but the reflection of the stars in the water to relieve its
+blackness.
+
+"I can't see anything yet," he said, after a while.
+
+"Just keep on looking," rejoined Frank; "there's a chance that they may
+have drifted from the position they gave us."
+
+"Well, in any case it would have been impossible for us to fly direct to
+the spot," rejoined Harry; "this thing is a good deal like looking for a
+needle in a haystack, to my way of thinking."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that. If they are anywhere within five or six miles
+they must hear the beat of our motor."
+
+"Wonder why Dr. Perkins doesn't switch on the searchlight. Hullo, there
+it goes now."
+
+As Harry spoke, a fan-shaped ray of brilliant white light cut the night
+in front of the _Sea Eagle_, like a radiant sword. Hither and thither it
+swept over the dark sea; but it revealed nothing. All at once Dr.
+Perkins shut the searchlight off.
+
+"If they have seen it they will reply in some way," he shouted in
+explanation to the boys. "Keep a bright lookout for an answer. I'll keep
+the _Sea Eagle_ swinging in circles. We have been doing thirty miles an
+hour, and even allowing for the delay when we struck the air pocket we
+ought to be in the disabled yacht's vicinity by this time."
+
+As the searchlight was extinguished Harry peered out into the darkness
+with straining eyes. Suddenly he gave a shout and clutched Frank's arm.
+
+"What's that," he shouted, "that light off there to the south?"
+
+"It's a lantern," cried Frank; "somebody's waving it."
+
+Dr. Perkins confirmed Frank's supposition, and the _Sea Eagle_, on her
+errand of rescue, was headed for the swinging pin-point of light in the
+distance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.--A TWENTIETH-CENTURY RESCUE.
+
+
+As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress,
+Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight. Its comforting beam
+shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a
+strange sight. As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single
+point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves
+on a striking picture of distress at sea.
+
+Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene
+craft, apparently up to the rails in the water. At any rate nothing of
+the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of
+the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men. One of these
+had been swinging the lantern, but he ceased as the bright light from
+the _Sea Eagle_ bathed the group in its rays. One single mast arose high
+above the pitching hull, and from it could be seen wires strung down to
+the cabin top. Evidently this was the wireless apparatus which had been
+the means of bringing the Boy Aviators and their friend to the rescue.
+
+The yacht could not have been more than fifty feet in length--a very
+small craft to be equipped with wireless; but her owner, if he was on
+board, must have been congratulating himself at that very moment on his
+wise precaution.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the searchlight had first revealed the
+_Wanderer_ and her distressed company that the _Sea Eagle_ was swinging
+in a graceful, birdlike circle in the air above the sinking craft.
+
+Frank seized up a small megaphone, which formed part of the sea and sky
+ship's equipment.
+
+"Ahoy! Aboard the yacht!" he cried.
+
+"Ahoy!" came back the cry, with a note of incredulous wonder in it, as
+well there might be, considering the extraordinary circumstances.
+
+"Are you the folks we talked with by wireless?" called Harry.
+
+"The very same," was the shouted reply, "but who are you? Can you get us
+off this? The ship won't last much longer."
+
+"We'll get you off all right," exclaimed Frank comfortingly, and as he
+spoke Dr. Perkins allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide down to the surface
+of the waves, alighting on the water about five hundred feet from the
+castaways. He at once headed the _Sea Eagle_ round, and calling for
+reduced speed made for the sinking yacht.
+
+"Slow down! Stop her! Reverse!" he shouted in rapid succession, as they
+bore down.
+
+"On board the yacht!" hailed Frank, as they glided up alongside, "throw
+us a line."
+
+The desired rope came snaking through the air, falling across the _Sea
+Eagle's_ bow. Harry bounded forward and made it fast.
+
+"Now haul in," ordered Dr. Perkins, as soon as the propellers had ceased
+to beat the air; "easy now; we don't want to foul the wings."
+
+His order was obeyed; and before long the _Sea Eagle's_ bow was scraping
+the side of the _Wanderer_. Fortunately, the sea was smooth, or the
+maneuver would have been impossible of execution. As it was, however, on
+the easy swell that was running it was made with comparatively small
+difficulty.
+
+"Well, great Cæsar's ghost!" blurted out a stout, blond man in yachting
+costume, who occupied, apparently, the position of owner of the yacht,
+"if this isn't the twentieth century with a vengeance. Just think of it,
+Griggs--rescued by an aëroplane!"
+
+The man addressed, a good-natured-looking man, almost as corpulent as
+the first speaker, nodded appreciatively.
+
+"We don't really know how to thank you folks," continued the stout man;
+"we haven't much longer to stay above water, as you see. We hit a
+derelict at dusk, and stove in our port bow. The water came rushing in
+so fast that I had barely time to flash that wireless that you so
+providentially caught."
+
+"It was feeble enough, I can tell you," Frank assured him; "fortunately,
+we were not far off, and so managed to catch your appeal for help."
+
+The stout man was again warmly thanking his rescuers, when Dr. Perkins
+interrupted.
+
+"Suppose you come on board," he said; "by the looks of your craft she is
+likely to take a plunge at any minute. I'd like to be able to cut loose
+from her before that happens."
+
+Taking this hint, the stout man clambered on board the _Sea Eagle_ with
+more agility than might have been expected from a man of his heavy
+build. This done he extended a hand to his friend, and then came the
+turn of the third occupant of the cabin roof to disembark. This third
+man was evidently, from his costume, a paid hand on board the _Sea
+Eagle_. He was slight and dark and foreign looking, with beady black
+eyes, and a not over-prominent chin.
+
+Directly all were on board, Dr. Perkins ordered Frank to "cast off" from
+the sinking yacht. It was well this order was obeyed promptly, for
+hardly had the _Sea Eagle_ been disengaged from the other craft's side,
+than the _Wanderer_ gave a sudden plunge, bow downward, under the waves.
+For one instant her stern upreared itself vertically, showing the rudder
+and propeller, and then, as if by magic, the whole craft vanished, to
+find a grave in the ocean bed.
+
+All this was seen by the searchlight, which Dr. Perkins had kept
+concentrated on the yacht while the last act of this ocean drama was
+being consummated. As the yacht vanished a deep sigh broke from the
+stout man.
+
+"Good-by, poor old _Wanderer_," he said, "there's an end of this
+cruise."
+
+"I am sorry that she was not in a condition to tow to Brig Island,"
+remarked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"My dear sir, so far as the actual monetary loss is concerned it was
+fully covered by insurance," responded the stout man; "my only regret is
+to see a craft I was very fond of end her days in such a fashion. Also,
+I am afraid my friend Griggs here will be disappointed at the failure of
+our cruise."
+
+"Good heavens!" cried Mr. Griggs, who appeared to be a highly nervous
+individual, "I'm glad to have my life, Sterrett--glad to have my life. If
+I don't catch my death of cold over this I'll be fortunate indeed."
+
+"In the meantime," struck in the man addressed as Sterrett, "we are
+forgetting in our own troubles the debt of gratitude we owe to our
+friends here. In the first place, let me introduce ourselves. I am Paul
+Sterrett, late owner of the _Wanderer_. This is my friend, Samuel
+Griggs, and yonder," indicating the foreign-looking third man, "is
+Francis Le Blanc, our cook and general handy man. We left New York on a
+cruise up the coast sometime ago, and up till to-night experienced no
+mishaps. However, as my friend says, we must not repine; we should
+consider ourselves fortunate indeed to be onboard your remarkable craft
+instead of being in a watery grave, as we must have been had it not been
+for your opportune arrival."
+
+"We consider ourselves fortunate to have been of service to you,"
+responded the inventor, and then went on in his turn to introduce
+himself and his party, and also give a brief explanation of the _Sea
+Eagle_, which had, as may be imagined, excited the liveliest curiosity
+on the part of the rescued castaways.
+
+"But as we shall now get under way without further loss of time," he
+concluded, "you will be able to see for yourselves just how the _Sea
+Eagle_ is controlled, and what she can do."
+
+As he finished this speech, Dr. Perkins extinguished the searchlight,
+which had still been playing on the oil-streaked waters which marked the
+burial spot of the ill-fated _Wanderer_. This done, he gave Frank the
+"come ahead" signal. Obediently, as usual, the motor began its song, and
+the propellers took up the whirring, buzzing refrain. Mr. Sterrett and
+his companions sat perfectly still in the positions in the stern which
+had been assigned to them. Had it been light enough to read the
+expressions on their faces one would have said that they were absolutely
+dumbfounded.
+
+Of course both Mr. Sterrett and his friends--as well informed men--knew
+the wonderful capabilities of the modern aëroplane. They had witnessed
+many flights, and in common with the generality of progressive
+Americans, knew the general principles of aërial locomotion. But when
+the _Sea Eagle_ from a "boat" turned suddenly into a hydroplane, they
+exchanged swift expressions of the utmost astonishment. Only their
+companion, the paid "hand" from the yacht, sat sullenly unimpressed. In
+fact, since he had boarded the _Sea Eagle_, he had not uttered a
+syllable, only mumbling his thanks when Mr. Sterrett and his companion
+had finished expressing their gratitude for their rescue.
+
+Under the skillful guidance of Dr. Perkins, and the constant attention
+that Frank paid to the whirring motor, the _Sea Eagle_ made a quick run
+back to the island, being guided, when she was still some distance away,
+by the ruddy glare of a big beacon fire lighted by Ben Stubbs. It was an
+instance of the veteran adventurer's thoughtfulness and resource that he
+had thought of doing this, for in the hurry of the departure, no such
+instructions had been given him. But on his own responsibility he had
+kindled the blaze which materially aided the swift return of the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her eyrie.
+
+Reaching the island, the aërial wonder was sent swinging in decreasing
+circles, till Dr. Perkins was sure of a safe drop to the workshop on the
+summit of the little spot of land, and then, with a breath-catching
+rapidity, the helmsman sent his wonderful vessel earthward, bringing it
+to a stop within the ruddy glow caused by the blazing bonfire which had
+guided them.
+
+As the _Sea Eagle_ settled to the earth the party that had been left
+behind on the adventurous night flight pressed to the side of the novel
+craft. A glance showed them that the mission of Dr. Perkins' craft had
+been crowned with success, and Billy and Pudge began plying the returned
+voyagers with eager questions. Ben Stubbs was slightly in the
+background, and it was not till Mr. Sterrett and his companions had
+stepped out on to the ground that he got a good look at them.
+
+When he did, he gave a deep-drawn gasp of surprise. An expression of
+supreme amazement overspread his weather-beaten countenance. But his
+eyes did not fix on Mr. Sterrett or his companion, Griggs. Instead they
+traveled beyond the nattily clad yachtsmen and rested on the slim figure
+of the paid "hand."
+
+"Raoul Duval, as sure as there's a north star!" choked out Ben, half to
+himself, "waal, if this ain't a small bit of a world!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.--BEN'S PLAN STOLEN.
+
+
+For his part Duval was no less quick in recognizing Ben Stubbs. At the
+moment, Dr. Perkins and the rest were standing in a group a little
+apart, and discussing their adventure, while Mr. Sterrett was loud in
+his praises of the _Sea Eagle_, which he described as the most wonderful
+craft on earth. Giving a swift look round to see that he was unobserved,
+Duval pressed a finger to his lips to enjoin silence on Ben, and then
+beckoned him to come a short distance out of the firelight.
+
+Ben, in wonderment as to this unexpected reappearance of the young man
+who had exercised such sharp practice on him, obeyed the summons. But
+when he addressed Duval it was in an angry tone.
+
+"What's this mean," he exclaimed, "how did you come here?"
+
+"As you see, by that air ship," was the reply; "I never expected to see
+you here, however. I tell you, Stubbs, I've had a lot of hard luck. When
+those boys and that professor-chap rescued us I had been compelled to
+ship as a deckhand and cook on that yacht. Just think of it."
+
+"A mighty good thing for you, say I," grunted Ben brusquely, "a little
+good, honest, hard work will take some of the crooked kinks out of your
+brain. My recommendation to you, Duval, is to stick to that sort of a
+job, and in time you'll learn to be a man."
+
+Duval shot a look full of malice at the blunt old fellow. But his face
+was in the shadow, and Ben did not notice it. Instead he continued:
+
+"But I ain't the one to bear a grudge, Duval, although you did come
+mighty near shipwrecking my faith in human natur'. Shake hands, mate,
+and for your old father's sake I'll do what I can fer you. I ain't one
+to kick a man when he's down."
+
+Duval extended his thin, long-fingered hand, and Ben seized it in his
+rough paw and shook it with a heartiness that made the dark-skinned
+Duval flinch.
+
+"There!" exclaimed the old fellow heartily, as he relinquished his grip,
+"that's all ship-shape and in good trim. Now let's get back to the rest
+of 'em afore they see us talking apart."
+
+"You're not going to give me away to them?" asked Duval, almost
+breathlessly. "Sterrett thinks I'm all right, and may give me a better
+job some time."
+
+"I won't stand in your way, lad," heartily rejoined Ben. "In fact, I'd
+like to help you get on your feet again."
+
+"How about that plan of the location of the _Belle of New Orleans_?"
+asked Duval, without paying any attention to Ben's last remarks.
+
+"Safe enough in my pocket, mate," replied Ben, tapping his worn coat;
+"why do you want to know?"
+
+"I wondered if you had investigated my story."
+
+"No, I haven't yet; but I don't mind telling you that I may do so before
+very long. And I'll tell you right now, Duval, that if we recover
+anything valuable from that wreck I'll see to it that you get a good
+share of it, and then you can set up in business again and make a new
+start."
+
+Duval expressed what appeared to be very deep thanks for Ben's
+generosity. But, in reality, his thoughts were busy elsewhere. An idea
+had come into his head that was to bear strange fruit before very long.
+They joined the group clustered about Dr. Perkins without their absence
+having been noticed. Billy and Pudge had seen to it while the _Sea
+Eagle_ was on her mission of rescue that a good hot lunch should be
+ready on the return of the expedition. A few moments after Ben and Duval
+joined the others Pudge announced this fact, and the party trooped into
+the hut, nothing loath, to fall to with hearty appetites on a good meal.
+Soon after they "turned in," the boys insisting on the strangers taking
+their bunks, while they and Ben Stubbs put up with "shake-downs" on the
+floor.
+
+It was very late--or rather early morning--when they retired, and before
+long all were wrapped in the deep sleep of exhaustion. Ben was the first
+to awaken, to find the sun streaming into the hut.
+
+"Great guns!" he exclaimed, glancing at Billy's alarm clock on a shelf,
+"it's after seven."
+
+Broad awake in a jiffy, he aroused the others, going from the floor
+sleepers to the bunks. Dr. Perkins, Mr. Sterrett and the latter's friend
+were awakened in turn, and it was not till then that Ben noticed that
+Duval's bunk was empty.
+
+"Good fer him," he said to himself warmly, "the young chap has started
+to turn over a new leaf by gittin' out early. I'll take a turn outside
+afore breakfast and see if I can find him."
+
+But Duval was not about the workshop, nor did Ben's calls summon him to
+breakfast. It was not till that instant that an ugly suspicion flashed
+into Ben's hitherto unsuspecting mind. Without saying a word to the
+others he hastily drew out his wallet and, withdrawing to a corner of
+the hut, examined its contents. Instantly his suspicions were verified.
+
+The plan of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_ was
+missing!
+
+Stifling his anger as well as he could, Ben hastened to the beach. As he
+had suspected the moment he found the plan missing, the small skiff was
+gone. What had happened was as plain as print to Ben now. Young Duval
+had waited till all in the hut were asleep, then he had stealthily crept
+from his bunk, recovered the plan he had given to Ben, and had decamped
+in the small boat.
+
+"Waal, the dern scallywag!" burst out Ben, as he stood on the beach in
+the first shock of his discovery.
+
+In his anger he shook his fist at the strip of sea between the island
+and the mainland to which, he did not doubt, Duval had crossed in his
+flight.
+
+"The--the--precious scamp!" he continued, his bronzed features working,
+"and I trusted him as I would have trusted his dad."
+
+Shaking his head, Ben slowly made his way from the beach back to the
+hut. He said nothing of his discovery during breakfast, but after the
+meal he found a pretext for drawing Dr. Perkins to one side. To him he
+communicated what had occurred.
+
+"A good riddance of bad rubbish," said Dr. Perkins when Ben, whose voice
+shook with anger, had concluded his story; "we are cheaply rid of him,
+Ben."
+
+The inventor, while not a selfish man, was so wrapped up in the success
+of the _Sea Eagle_ that, to him, the loss of the plan of the wreck did
+not appeal in the same way that it did to Ben Stubbs. But the old
+adventurer took him up indignantly.
+
+"Bad rubbish, as you say, sir," he grated out, "but if that paper hadn't
+bin worth something Duval wouldn't have taken it. It's good-by to
+recovering that stuff from the _Belle of New Orleans_ now."
+
+"By Jove! I'd quite forgotten my promise to you," said Dr. Perkins
+contritely; "but never fear, Ben, I'll see that you are not a loser."
+
+"It ain't that," rejoined Ben; "I don't give a snap for the plan; but
+it's the ingratitood of that young whippersnapper that's got me sore.
+I'd like--I'd like to find that wreck just to get ahead of him."
+
+"Humph!" rejoined the inventor, "I understand your feelings. He has
+certainly treated you very badly. But possibly we can think up some way
+to outgeneral him."
+
+"Don't see how we are goin' to do it without that plan," rejoined Ben;
+"but I ain't one to cry over spilt milk. It's gone, and that's all there
+is to it. The best thing to do is to forget it."
+
+Frank and Harry, on their way to the _Sea Eagle's_ shelter, were passing
+at the moment. After asking the inventor if he thought it would be
+advisable, and receiving an affirmative reply, Ben called them over. As
+briefly as he could he told them what had happened.
+
+"Well, the precious rascal!" broke out Frank; "I thought there was
+something snaky-looking about the chap last night. Isn't there a chance
+of catching him?"
+
+"Not such a slick rascal as he is, Frank," rejoined Ben despondently;
+"no, the plan is gone, and gone for good--so good-by to that."
+
+But Harry now spoke up, and to the astonishment of the others his voice
+did not hold a trace of the disappointment they could not help but feel.
+
+"Cheer up, Ben," he said heartily, "and by the way you might just cast
+your eye over this and see if it looks familiar."
+
+As he spoke he dipped a hand into his breast pocket and produced a
+folded paper. Ben, with a mystified expression, took it and opened the
+thing up. The next instant it almost fell from his hands.
+
+"Why!--why, by the glittering Pole Star!" he choked out, "it's the plan
+itself!"
+
+"Not exactly," laughed Harry, "but I think it's a pretty good copy. You
+see I always liked drawing and that sort of thing, so when you showed me
+that plan I memorized it, and when I got a chance I sketched out this
+copy in case anything happened to the original. I think it's good enough
+to take a chance on."
+
+"Good enough!" roared Ben, "why, lad, it's the plan itself. Now, then,
+if we don't beat Master Duval to the _Belle of New Orleans_ call me a
+double-decked, lee-scuppered sea cook!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.--WHAT HAPPENED ASHORE.
+
+
+As Ben had surmised, Duval had waited till the boys and their friends
+were sound asleep, and had then, in accordance with a plan he had
+thought of the instant he set eyes on his kind-hearted friend, sneaked
+out of his bunk and, tip-toeing softly to Ben's clothes, located the
+wallet and with small trouble or loss of time abstracted the plan of the
+lost wreck. During the evening the ingrate had heard a description of
+the island given to Mr. Sterrett by Dr. Perkins, so that after taking
+the plan he left the hut and made for the beach by the path through the
+woods.
+
+Shoving off the skiff, he had taken up the oars and started rowing as
+fast as he could for the mainland. But what with the darkness and his
+unfamiliarity with that part of the coast, he had failed to land in the
+cove adjoining the fisher village of Motthaven, and had beached his
+craft a considerable distance to the south of the place. It was just
+growing light when the bow of the skiff grated on the sand, and Duval
+hastily scrambled out and started off. His object was to find a railroad
+station and travel as far as his scant supply of money would take him
+from the vicinity of Brig Island.
+
+After that his plans were still vague; but he had an indefinite idea of
+getting to New York or some large town, and interesting anybody with
+capital to finance an expedition for the recovery of the gold dust chest
+and the bag of black pearls that lay at the bottom of the Black Bayou
+amid the moldering timbers of the lost steamer. The utter depravity and
+black-heartedness of this plan, and his base ingratitude to the man who
+had aided him in every way, did not strike him. Instead, there was but
+one over-mastering thought in his mind, and that was to secure whatever
+treasure might be in the wreck as quickly as possible, and then vanish
+from America for some foreign country with his ill-gotten wealth.
+
+Busy with such thoughts as these, he hastened up the beach in the gray
+of the dawn, and finding a rough sort of path leading up the low cliff
+that overhung the beach, he started to ascend it. He had not gone more
+than a few paces, however, before he saw, buried back in some trees, a
+rough-looking hut.
+
+Duval was hungry and thirsty, and, moreover, his long row, at such a
+feverish pace, had exhausted him. Determining to tell a story that would
+account for his presence in that isolated part of the coast at such an
+early hour, he made up his mind to apply at the hut for some
+refreshment. His story was to be that he had set off on a fishing
+expedition and had lost his way and been wandering all night.
+
+"Probably only some fool fisherman lives there who will believe anything
+I choose to tell him," he thought; "these fellows are all as thick as
+mud, anyhow."
+
+Musing to himself in this fashion, the renegade fellow made his way
+toward the hut and, coming to the door, knocked loudly on it. But there
+was no answer, and when, after repeated knockings, he could elicit no
+response, Duval determined that, as there appeared to be nobody at home,
+he would walk in uninvited and see what he could "forage" for himself.
+
+The door was unlocked; in fact, it had no latch and hung crazily on its
+rusty hinges. Opening it, Duval found himself in an interior as rough
+and uncouth as the outside of the hut had promised. A table made of old
+planks, seemingly flotsam from the beach, two soap boxes for chairs, and
+a rough sort of bunk, or rather shelf, littered with a pile of dirty old
+blankets, made up the furnishings. On the table were the remains of a
+meal, which had consisted apparently of roasted lobsters and fish. Two
+tin cups and tin plates, with battered knives and forks beside them,
+completed the table service.
+
+"Confound it all," muttered Duval, "whoever lives here is as poor as a
+church mouse. Some miserable fisherman, I suppose, who has hardly enough
+to keep body and soul together."
+
+He walked to a corner of the shack where there was a sort of cupboard
+contrived out of old boxes. He had guessed that this formed the pantry
+of the establishment. Sure enough, in it he found a loaf half consumed,
+and the remains of a roasted lobster, as well as some scraps of fish. He
+was too hungry to be particular and was just about to start eating when
+a quick step behind him caused him to start violently, dropping the food
+he had in his hand.
+
+But before he could utter a word the young man--or, rather, loutish
+boy--who had entered so quietly, owing to his being barefooted, stepped
+up to him and, raising a heavy oar he carried, dealt the intruder a blow
+that deprived him of his senses for the time being.
+
+As Duval fell to the floor a man in rough fisherman's garb, with a
+wrinkled, mahogany-tinged face and a tuft of gray whisker on his
+prominent chin, entered.
+
+"Why, Zeb, what's up?" he exclaimed, in an astonished voice.
+
+"I found this feller snoopin' about in here, pop," was the rejoinder,
+"an' I calkelated ter lay him out till we could find out what his
+business was."
+
+"Good ernuff, boy," responded the elder Daniels, for most of our readers
+must be aware by this time of the identity of the two newcomers; "but
+who do yer suppose he is? He's dressed like one of them fancy sailors
+off'n a yacht."
+
+"Dad, I figger he's a detective sent here by them kids on Brig Island.
+That's the way it looks to me."
+
+"I guess you're right, Zeb. Here, give me a hand to get him up on the
+bunk. By hickory, but you must have hit him a clip."
+
+"Reckon I did land kind er hard on him, dad, but I wasn't takin' chances
+of his turning on me."
+
+The two worthies lifted Duval's limp form and laid it, not over-gently,
+on the tumbled pile of frowsy blankets. This done, a sudden thought
+struck the elder Daniels.
+
+"Calkerlate I'll take a look through his pockets," he said; "might
+rummage out something worth havin'."
+
+Zeb helped his father in this task; but aside from a small sum of money,
+and a collection of worthless odds and ends, they found nothing that
+appeared to them to be of importance. In an inner pocket Zeb came across
+the stolen map. Much mystified, he showed it to his father.
+
+"What do you think this kin be, pop?" he inquired.
+
+The old man took it and knitted his brow over the document in a puzzled
+fashion.
+
+"By hickory, I kain't make it out," he confessed; "thar's some riting in
+ther corner, though. Spell it out, Zeb."
+
+Zeb, obediently, but somewhat laboriously, read out:
+
+"'Map of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_.'
+That's what it says; but what does it mean?"
+
+"That's plain enough, ain't it?" retorted the old man. "It's a map of
+some wreck or other, but what does this feller want with it? That's the
+question."
+
+"Better ask him. He's opening his eyes and coming to."
+
+Sure enough Duval stirred uneasily, and threw up his hand as if to ward
+off a blow.
+
+"Don't hit me, Frank Chester," he cried out; "I'll give back the plan I
+stole."
+
+"Oh-ho! That's the way the wind blows, is it?" muttered the elder
+Daniels, and then, addressing Duval, who was now staring wildly about
+him, he said:
+
+"So you come from Brig Island, eh, my hearty?"
+
+"Yes; but how did I get here? Oh, I remember now. I was looking for food
+and somebody struck me."
+
+"That was me, I reckon," grinned Zeb, "who are you, anyhow? Did those
+kids on Brig Island send you here after us?"
+
+What with the effects of his blow, and his alarm at his position, Duval
+lost his customary caution.
+
+"I'm no friend of anybody on Brig Island," he exclaimed, "but what do
+you know about that place, anyhow?"
+
+"A whole lot," grimly rejoined the elder Daniels; "now, see here, my
+lad, you'd best make a clean breast of it. How did you come by this
+plan?"
+
+The old fisherman, who was pretty keen-minded, had guessed by Duval's
+guilty manner that there was some mystery connected with the document
+which he now flourished.
+
+Duval sat up on the bunk and pleaded for the return of the plan; but to
+no avail.
+
+"I'm smart enough to see through a wall when there's a hole in it," said
+old Daniels; "now, see here, I reckon you ain't no friend of them kids
+on the island?"
+
+Duval shook his head. He had, of course, no reason to dislike the boys;
+but he was an arrant coward at heart, and saw that the men in whose
+power he was, hated the young dwellers on Brig Island. He therefore
+thought it good policy to affect to be of their way of thinking.
+
+"I'm no friend of theirs," he said, rather sullenly, "but what's that to
+you?"
+
+"May be a whole lot, if this plan is what I think it is. Now I've a
+pretty good idea that you come by it in no very honest way. Ain't that
+so?"
+
+"I--I was given it," stammered Duval uneasily, while Zenas' little
+gimlet-like gray eyes bored him through.
+
+"That's a lie," rejoined Daniels easily; "come on, out with the truth,
+now. It won't do you no harm, and may keep you from the constables."
+
+This was a shrewd move on Daniels' part. Duval's eyes dilated with fear
+at the idea of coming within the reach of the law. Without more ado he
+blurted out part of the story of the lost _Belle of New Orleans_, and
+offered to let Zenas share in the prize if he should locate it. While
+Duval was talking the elder Daniels had leaned forward, consumed with
+interest. Avaricious to a degree, the thought of the sunken treasure
+made him fairly burn with desire to gain it.
+
+"You're sure that was a true story that feller give you?" he asked, as
+Duval concluded his story.
+
+"I'm certain of it. I know for a fact that my father had a lot of gold
+dust and those black pearls with him on his last voyage, for he had
+written home about the fortune that he was bringing."
+
+"Humph! Waal, your story sounds all right, and I don't know but what
+you've come to the right shop to get some one to help you get at the
+wreck. I've got a diving outfit and a little money, and I kin raise some
+more. Now sit down and Zeb will get you a bite to eat, and we'll talk
+things over."
+
+And thus was begun an alliance which was to prove a source of much
+trouble to the Boy Aviators and their friends in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.--OFF ON THE "AIR ROUTE."
+
+
+In the meantime indignation was at white heat on Brig Island. Mr.
+Sterrett was for advertising the disappearance of Duval, and offering a
+reward for his apprehension. He confessed that he had not liked the
+man's looks, but had shipped him as help was hard to get at the time.
+Dr. Perkins agreed that it might not be a bad idea to communicate at
+once with the authorities and try to have the rascal captured.
+
+"But," he added, "I am afraid he is too clever a scamp to fall into the
+clutches of the law very easily."
+
+"I am of that opinion, too," frankly admitted Mr. Sterrett, "but it will
+do no harm to do all we can to place him where he belongs."
+
+To get ashore Frank had first to swim off to the motor boat, for the
+skiff, as we know, had vanished. He then ran the engine-driven craft in
+alongside some rocks that sloped down into deep water, and from that
+elevation the party embarked. A quick run was made to Motthaven, from
+whence a description of Duval was wired to the metropolitan police, and
+the local authorities urged out of their usual lethargy by promises of a
+reward if Duval was found. Late that afternoon the search yielded
+results in the finding of the abandoned skiff, and the discovery of the
+hut in which the Daniels had been living since the boys had instituted
+proceedings against them.
+
+Some evidences of a hasty departure were found, but no clews that would
+give any idea of whither the fugitives had proceeded. In fact it was
+only by piecing together some scraps of torn paper that it was
+discovered that the hut had been used by the Daniels as a refuge.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Perkins that evening, after they had bidden good-by to
+Mr. Sterrett and his friend, who had returned to New York, "well, in my
+opinion the less time we lose in getting to Black Bayou the better it
+will be, for, to my mind, there is little doubt that Duval means to
+forestall our friend, Ben Stubbs, in ransacking the wreck."
+
+The others agreed that this seemed highly probable, and Dr. Perkins made
+immediate arrangements for a caretaker to occupy quarters on Brig Island
+during their absence. This done, a return was made to the little
+settlement, and the next day final preparations were made for the
+adventurous trip through the air. The _Sea Eagle_ was provisioned, and a
+light wireless apparatus installed, the stay wires being used as
+aërials. Of course the instruments were not so strong as those used at
+the shore station, but it was calculated that they had a capacity of
+about twenty miles over land, and forty above the sea, depending, of
+course, a good deal on the wave adjustment and the weather conditions.
+
+Twenty-four hours after the adventurers had started work on the _Sea
+Eagle_, the craft was ready for her dash. Ben Stubbs, Pudge Perkins and
+Billy Barnes were to go to New Orleans, there to await the arrival of
+the party. Their departure took place amid regretful wails from Pudge,
+who loudly declaimed:
+
+"Aërials and ant-hills! I don't see why we can't go by the _Sea Eagle_."
+
+But Dr. Perkins' word was law and he had decided that the fewer persons
+who took part in the test the better the chance of success would be, and
+as Frank and Harry were both experienced aviators he placed great
+reliance in their aid. The morning after the departure of the New
+Orleans-bound passengers the caretaker and his family arrived. They were
+honest folk from the shore, who could be trusted to look after the many
+valuable devices on the island, and keep curiosity seekers off till the
+party returned. For Dr. Perkins had decided to use Brig Island as a
+permanent workshop, and expected, if the _Sea Eagle_ proved a success,
+to build many craft like her and dispose of them at good prices. The
+working of the electric fence was explained to the caretaker; but he
+declared:
+
+"I reckon my old gun will do more to keep undesirables off than any of
+them electric didoes."
+
+There was now nothing more to do, the caretaker being duly installed,
+but to take to the air, in what was, at that date, the most unique
+aërial craft in existence. For the voyage, beside the provisions and
+extra fuel and oil, life belts had been provided, and not a detail had
+been overlooked. It was seven o'clock on a fine, breathless morning when
+Dr. Perkins gave the order, "Start up the engines!"
+
+A thrill shot through both Frank and Harry at the words. Experienced in
+aërial adventure as were both boys, they could not but feel that they
+were embarking on the most adventurous undertaking of their lives.
+
+"We're off!" cried Harry, as a quiver ran through the craft, and the
+motor roared from its exhausts, emitting clouds of mingled flame and
+blue smoke.
+
+"Yes; off on a fight for fame and fortune!" cried Frank, as Dr. Perkins
+threw in the clutch; and, with her propellers beating the air so rapidly
+that they were a mere blur, the _Sea Eagle_ shot skyward.
+
+In half an hour's time, to the watchers on the island, the aërial craft
+had dwindled to a mere dot in the distant sky, and five minutes later
+she vanished from view. The boys gave many backward looks as they winged
+away from Brig Island. Despite their adventures, they had spent many
+pleasant days there, and it appeared to them to be almost a second home.
+Of all that they were to experience before returning to the island they
+little dreamed at the moment, but their hearts beat high with exultation
+as the _Sea Eagle_ winged her way southward at forty miles an hour, and
+about five hundred feet above the ocean.
+
+They had been in the air about an hour when they encountered a situation
+which may become common enough before many years have passed, but which
+was an exciting novelty to them. Off on the horizon a liner was sighted,
+steaming toward the American coast. Before long they made her out to be
+a big, two-funneled craft, painted black, and with numerous decks rising
+above her shapely hull.
+
+"One of the transatlantic liners that make Portland their terminal,"
+decided Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Shall I wireless them?" said Harry.
+
+"Yes, do so. It will be an interesting experiment, and besides will show
+how the apparatus will work."
+
+Harry lost no time in getting to work. After a brief interval he
+"raised" the operator on the liner, Dr. Perkins keeping the _Sea Eagle_
+swinging in big, lazy circles while he did so.
+
+"We sighted you from the bridge half an hour ago," flashed the operator,
+"who and what are you?"
+
+"The hydro-aëroplane _Sea Eagle_, bound from Maine for New Orleans. Who
+are you?" flashed back Harry.
+
+"The _Ultonia_, of the Portland and Liverpool line, eight days out from
+England," was the rejoinder; "have you got any American newspapers on
+board?"
+
+Now it happened that Dr. Perkins had brought some papers of the day
+before along in his pockets, and at Harry's request he handed them to
+him.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Frank.
+
+"I was going to suggest that we dive across the _Ultonia_ and deliver
+the papers," said Harry; "can we do it, doctor?"
+
+"By all means," rejoined Dr. Perkins, deeply interested; "flash them a
+message of what we intend to do so that they may be prepared."
+
+Harry sent out the message and the operator flashed back a quick
+"Thanks," adding the next moment: "Good-by. I'm going to beat it out on
+deck and watch you."
+
+Frank, in the meantime, had done the papers up in a compact bundle and
+weighted them with an empty beef can.
+
+"All ready?" cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+"All ready, sir," was the prompt reply from the boys.
+
+"Then hold tight. I'm going to make a swift dive."
+
+The liner was now almost directly underneath the soaring _Sea Eagle_.
+Her rails were black with passengers craning their necks upward at the
+great, man-made bird. From her funnels poured clouds of inky smoke,
+while her sharp prow cut the water on each side of her bow into
+sparkling foam. On the bridge were uniformed officers, pointing
+binoculars and spy glasses aloft, for the operator had communicated the
+news of what the _Sea Eagle_ was about to do.
+
+Suddenly the watching throngs of ocean travelers saw the _Sea Eagle_
+poise in air like a hawk about to pounce. Then down she came, cleaving
+the air like a falling stone.
+
+A great cry went up from the packed decks. It seemed as if the air craft
+must perish, that nothing could check her fall, and that she was doomed
+to plunge headlong into the sea. But in a flash the cry changed to a
+mighty cheer.
+
+Less than forty feet from the water the _Sea Eagle_ was seen to shoot
+upward and straight toward the steamer. Like an arrow from a bow the
+great aërial craft shot whizzing above the liner's bridge, and under the
+wireless aërials extending from mast to mast. Just as she roared by
+above the officers' heads, like some antedeluvian thunder-lizard,
+something was seen to fall downward and land on the top of the
+charthouse. It was the bundle of papers thrown by Harry. A sailor
+scrambled up and got them, while the crowded decks yelled themselves
+hoarse.
+
+Then the _Sea Eagle_ soared up high above the mast tips, and Harry
+seated himself at the wireless once more. Presently to his ears came a
+message from the speeding liner far below.
+
+"Captain Seabury wishes to congratulate you on the most wonderful feat
+of the century."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.--AN AËRIAL AMBULANCE.
+
+
+Harry was about to flash back an answer to the message of congratulation
+when, suddenly, into the scene of triumph was injected a grim note of
+threatened tragedy. One of the passengers, a young woman who had been
+leaning far out over the rail of the boat deck waving a handkerchief of
+filmy lace and linen, was seen, all at once, to topple from her perch.
+
+The next instant, and while her shrill scream for help still rent the
+air, a young man who had been standing beside her jumped out into space
+without waiting to do more than strip off coat and shoes. The _Ultonia_
+was speeding ahead at the fastest gait her twin screws were capable of.
+She was a large vessel, probably some 15,000 tons of registration, and
+her momentum was too great to stop her for a considerable distance.
+
+From the _Sea Eagle_ horrified eyes saw the accident, and witnessed the
+young woman's head bob up for an instant amid the frothy wake of the big
+craft. The liner's whistle screamed out a shrill alarm, and men could be
+seen scampering to lower a boat, while life buoys were thrown overboard.
+
+But before anything more could be done the _Sea Eagle_ took a sudden
+swoop, a swift dive downward, characteristic of the bird for which she
+had been named.
+
+The wonderful craft struck the water with a force that sent a cloud of
+spray boiling up about her, temporarily hiding her substructure and her
+occupants from view.
+
+"She's sunk!" went up a moaning cry from the decks of the liner. But,
+no! An instant later it was seen that the _Sea Eagle_, an aëroplane no
+longer but a winged boat, was speeding as fast as her twin propellers
+could drive her toward the spot where the young woman had last been
+seen.
+
+Hardly a word, except Dr. Perkins' caution to "hang on tight," had been
+exchanged between the aviators from their simultaneous observation of
+the accident till the moment the _Sea Eagle_ struck the water. But now
+orders came quick and fast.
+
+"Attend to the engines!"
+
+The order came from Frank, and Harry sprang into the place his brother
+vacated.
+
+Frank hastily buckled on one of the life jackets and then, as the _Sea
+Eagle_ skimmed the water at a twenty-five knot gait, he scanned the
+seething lane of foam behind the liner. Suddenly he saw what he was
+looking for. A white, imploring face, crowned with a wealth of golden
+hair.
+
+"Save me!" screamed the girl who, although she had been swimming, was by
+this time too exhausted with the effects of her immersion and the weight
+of her water-soaked clothes, to keep up any longer. Without an instant's
+hesitation, Frank leaped into the water and began striking out with
+powerful strokes for the sinking girl. He reached her side just as she
+was going down for the third time.
+
+[Illustration: WITHOUT AN INSTANT'S HESITATION, FRANK LEAPED INTO THE
+WATER.]
+
+In the meantime the young man who had sprung after her had also become
+exhausted, and would certainly have sunk had not Dr. Perkins headed the
+_Sea Eagle_ in his direction. Leaning far out as they came alongside the
+struggling man, Harry grasped him by the collar, and then half dragged
+him into the hydroplane portion of the air craft. This done, full speed
+was made for Frank and the young woman.
+
+None too soon did they reach Frank's side. With the blind instinct of a
+drowning person the young woman was clinging so tightly to Frank that,
+strong swimmer though he was, he had much difficulty in keeping above
+the water. Dr. Perkins ordered the motor stopped as they neared the two,
+and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide up to them. Then both he and Harry
+bent all their strength to hauling on board, first the young woman and
+then Frank.
+
+By this time the liner's speed had been checked, and her officers were
+swinging her in a broad circle to the scene of the accident. A boat had
+been lowered and was heading for the _Sea Eagle_, but Dr. Perkins,
+snatching up the megaphone, hailed the oarsman and told them that
+everything was all right.
+
+This done, power was applied once more, and the _Sea Eagle_ headed for
+the liner's side. As if guessing his intention a gangway had been
+lowered, and all was ready for their reception as they came alongside.
+In the meantime the young man had introduced the golden-haired young
+woman as his bride, and himself as Stanley Travers, of Portland, Me. To
+say that both he and Mrs. Travers were grateful would be not to state
+one half of their actual feelings.
+
+In fact, their expressions of appreciation took so long that one of the
+officers at the head of the gangway shouted:
+
+"This is a mail boat and we must hurry, please."
+
+While this was going on congratulations on the plucky act had been
+shouted down from the uniformed skipper on the bridge and from a score
+of the passengers that banked the rails three and four deep.
+
+At last Mr. and Mrs. Travers, wet to the skin, clambered up the liner's
+tall, black side, and the boat was hauled up on the davits. As the big
+craft, dipping her ensign and blowing her siren, heaved ahead, a shout
+of enthusiasm went up. But it was drowned by the roar of the _Sea
+Eagle's_ motor. Hardly had the propellers of the vessel begun to churn
+the water once more before Dr. Perkins' craft rose from the water like a
+white-winged sea gull after a refreshing dip. As the gallant sea-and-air
+ship rose, her three occupants waved their hands in farewell in
+rejoinder to the babel of shouts beneath them.
+
+"Well, at any rate, if the _Sea Eagle_ never does anything more,"
+remarked Dr. Perkins, "she has accomplished a great deal."
+
+"I should think so," exclaimed Frank, who had slipped into dry clothes
+as soon as the _Sea_ _Eagle_ took the air once more; "it isn't every
+craft that finds her baptism in life-saving at sea."
+
+As long as they could see the _Ultonia_ the big liner continued to blow
+her whistle, and doubtless the eyes of all her passengers remained fixed
+attentively on the wonderful sky ship as she waxed smaller and smaller
+against the blue. That afternoon the voyagers found themselves off Cape
+Ann. High above the cape they flew, cutting off a good chunk of distance
+in this way. The folks in West Gloucester stared in wonderment as the
+huge air ship soared by high above the town, and when a short time later
+the aviators passed above the white-winged fishing fleet, every tin pan
+and fog horn in the flotilla of small craft sounded an enthusiastic "God
+speed" to the air travelers.
+
+Far behind the main body of the fisher craft lagged a small sloop, and
+as the _Sea Eagle_ came closer to her the boys noticed that her flag was
+flying from the peak "union down," a sign of distress the world over.
+The big hydro-aëroplane was flying low at the time, and it was easy to
+see, without the aid of glasses, that several men were running about the
+sloop's decks and shouting something up at the air voyagers.
+
+"Shall we go down and see what the trouble is?" asked Frank, as he and
+Harry saw the signs of distress.
+
+"Yes," decided the doctor, "no craft, either of the air or of the sea,
+can disregard such a signal of disaster. It will be odd if, for the
+second time on the very first day of our cruise, we are able to render
+aid to somebody who needs it badly."
+
+The boys thought so, too, and as they dropped seaward the minds of all
+three occupants of the _Sea Eagle_ were busy with speculations
+concerning what could be the cause of the sloop's distress. Dr. Perkins
+caused his craft to alight gently on the sea a short distance from the
+sloop, and then headed her over the waves toward the distressed vessel.
+As they drew closer they could see a grizzled-looking fellow, in rough
+fisher's garb, leaning over the side.
+
+"Come quick!" he shouted, "there's been bad work going on aboard!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.--AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
+
+
+"What's up?" cried Frank.
+
+"Yes, what's the trouble?" came from Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Trouble enough. We sprang a leak two days ago, out on the fishing
+banks, and have been at the pumps ever since. Now we've got the leak
+stopped, but my mate, Joe Higgins, was struck on the head by the boom
+and is so mortal bad that if we don't get a doctor for him pretty quick
+I'm afraid he'll die. Then, too, our provisions is run out."
+
+While the man was reciting this catalogue of mishaps the _Sea Eagle_ was
+run alongside, and Dr. Perkins made her fast with a line the man flung
+to him.
+
+"First let's have a look at the injured man," he said and, without
+further delay, Captain Zebedee Crooks, as he informed the travelers his
+name was, led them aft to a tiny cabin, stuffy, dark and reeking of
+fish. The boys followed Dr. Perkins into this wretched little den and
+Captain Zebedee lighted a sea lantern.
+
+Its rays showed them a heavily built man of middle age lying on a
+locker. His head was bandaged, and although he breathed he showed no
+other signs of life. Dr. Perkins, with the skill of a professional man,
+made a hasty examination.
+
+"This man is badly hurt," he said at length. "I am afraid his skull is
+fractured, but of that I cannot be certain. He should be ashore in a
+hospital."
+
+"Aye! I know that," rejoined Captain Zebedee, "but at the rate we are
+going now we won't get ashore till to-morrow night, and by that time
+poor Joe may be dead."
+
+"I think it extremely likely," replied Dr. Perkins, "but we must get him
+ashore at once."
+
+"What, in that sky schooner of yours?" Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+"Yes, we must get him on deck without further loss of time. Then we'll
+rush him to a hospital."
+
+"The good Lord who sent you here bless you!" exclaimed the rugged old
+fisherman, affected almost to tears. "I never thought when I seen you
+away up thar in ther sky that you'd bother to notice the poor _Star of
+Gloucester_; but you did. You come down from the clouds like so many
+angels."
+
+"Funny-looking angels," remarked Frank to Harry, in an undertone. But
+Captain Zebedee's gratitude was so heartfelt and earnest that neither of
+the boys could find it in them to smile at his odd phrases.
+
+Captain Zebedee summoned some of his crew from the deck and as tenderly
+as possible the injured man was conveyed from the cabin. This done, he
+was lowered into the _Sea Eagle_ and laid on a pile of blankets already
+prepared for his reception.
+
+"Better make for Bayhaven," counseled Captain Zebedee; "there's a good
+hospital there, and it lies right on the coast about in a straight line
+from here."
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded, and then, having seen that the injured man was in a
+position to endure the ride comfortably, the flight to the shore was
+begun; but not till a substantial amount of provisions and some fresh
+water had been supplied to the fishing smack. As the _Sea Eagle_ took to
+the air the _Star of Gloucester_ was set before the wind, and staggered
+off on her slow course once more. The last the boys saw of the clumsy
+fisherman, the stout figure of Captain Zebedee was leaning on the stern
+bulwarks waving to them as they winged shoreward.
+
+The coast was a rocky one, with gaunt cliffs and few habitations. But as
+they reached it and flew low above a small house on the summit of the
+cliffs, they spied a man at work in a small garden. Of him Frank
+inquired the way to Bayhaven. The man was too much astonished to answer
+at first, and stood looking stupidly up at the winged monster above him.
+
+But finally he collected his wits and pointed to the south. The _Sea
+Eagle_ was thereupon headed round, and, not long after, her passengers
+came in sight of a tiny town huddled in a cove almost at the water's
+edge. Heading out seaward once more, Dr. Perkins dropped to the water in
+the harbor, and then at reduced speed ran the _Sea Eagle_ up to the long
+wharf which jutted out at the foot of the little city's main street.
+
+By the time they arrived alongside of the jetty half the population of
+the town was on hand to greet them. Their approach through the air had
+been seen when they were still some distance off, and as the _Sea Eagle_
+was the first air ship ever seen in Bayhaven it may be imagined what a
+sensation Dr. Perkins' craft created.
+
+But all eager questioners were waved aside while Dr. Perkins and his
+young friends called for volunteers to help lift the injured man out of
+the _Sea Eagle_. A dozen willing hands responded, and before long the
+mate of the _Star of Gloucester_ was on his way to the hospital in a
+wagon which had been hastily converted into an ambulance. It may be said
+here that, thanks to the prompt manner in which aid had been secured for
+him, the man recovered after a long illness, and was able to resume his
+work on Captain Zebedee's ship, where he never tires of telling of how
+he was saved by an aërial ambulance.
+
+Dr. Perkins accompanied his patient to the hospital, where he saw him
+comfortably settled. In the meantime Frank and Harry had been left on
+guard with the _Sea Eagle_, for the crowd had grown so large, and so
+curious, that it would not have been wise to have left the ship to the
+mercies of the inquisitive. The boys answered a perfect hailstorm of
+questions as good-naturedly as possible, but once or twice they had to
+use physical means to keep the younger element of the population of
+Bayhaven off the decks.
+
+By the time Dr. Perkins returned they were heartily tired of their job,
+and hailed his proposal that they should go up to town and purchase a
+fresh supply of provisions, with much delight. Leaving Dr. Perkins to
+cope with the throng, the two boys, arm in arm, made their way through
+the press and set off for the main street, which sloped up from the
+wharf. One or two of the crowd followed them, gaping curiously at the
+youthful aërial voyagers. But the boys were too used to the curiosity of
+crowds to mind this, and before long their followers dropped back to
+gape at the great flying machine.
+
+They found the town a small, uninteresting place. There were several
+shops, a hotel, with the usual group of loungers hanging about the
+porch, and further back a canning factory, which gave employment, in one
+way or another, to most of the inhabitants of Bayhaven. Beyond the hotel
+was a big "general store." Entering it, the boys made a variety of
+purchases, and arranged that the goods should be shipped to the _Sea
+Eagle_ as soon as possible.
+
+They were just leaving the place when out of the dusk--for by this time
+it was getting late--there came a figure that caused both boys to come to
+a dead stop in petrified astonishment. As for the man who had caused
+their sudden stoppage he, for his part, appeared to be nonplussed for a
+second. But the next moment he turned and fairly ran out of the store.
+
+"After him!" cried Frank; "it's that rascal Duval!"
+
+"That's what!" cried Harry, no less excited.
+
+Both boys, to the utter amazement of the storekeeper, who thought they
+had gone suddenly crazy, dashed out of the door of the emporium, and
+taking the steps outside in one jump they made off in the direction in
+which Duval, for there was no doubt it was he, had vanished. But as ill
+luck would have it, the cannery whistle had just blown for the cessation
+of the day's work, and round the corner there streamed a big crowd of
+the employees.
+
+It took the boys some time to work their way through the throng, for
+some of the men were inclined to tease them by stepping in their way and
+otherwise annoying them so that by the time they got through the crowd
+all hope of catching, or even sighting, Duval was gone.
+
+Greatly disappointed, and almost as much mystified by their sudden
+encounter with the rascally Frenchman, the boys decided to turn back and
+go down to the _Sea Eagle_. On their way they discussed Duval's sudden
+reappearance with interest.
+
+"What can he be doing here?" wondered Harry.
+
+"Blessed if I know," was the rejoinder, "but I'll bet he's up to some
+mischief or other. My! How he ran when he saw us."
+
+"He had good reason to," declared Harry; "I guess we'd have had him
+arrested if we'd ever caught him."
+
+"Not much doubt of that," declared Frank; "we could have charged him
+with the theft of that boat, anyhow, and that would have held him in the
+custody of the authorities till we could have obtained further
+evidence."
+
+"Well, I don't imagine we'll see him again," decided Harry, as they
+turned into the Main Street.
+
+"No such luck," declared Frank.
+
+But, after all, the boys were to see Duval again, and sooner than they
+expected, too.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.--PLUMBO FOUND WANTING.
+
+
+They were still talking in this vein when they reached the wharf. The
+crowd had, by this time, thinned out somewhat, and they made their way
+to the _Sea Eagle_ without difficulty. They found Dr. Perkins talking
+with a most peculiar looking individual. He was long and lanky as a bean
+pole, and his thatch of bright red hair was crowned by a hat that a
+scarecrow might have disowned.
+
+"Wonder who our new-found friend can be?" laughed Harry, as they
+clambered down a rough ladder to _the Sea Eagle's_ deck.
+
+They soon found out. Dr. Perkins, it appeared, had decided to spend the
+night at Bayhaven, and had engaged quarters at the hotel which the boys
+had passed. The man with whom he was talking rejoiced in the name of
+Plumbo Boggs, and was a village character. However, he was honest,
+though not overmuch endowed with brains, and had been recommended to the
+inventor as a reliable man to leave in charge of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Immediately Dr. Perkins had introduced this strange character, Plumbo
+broke out into rhymed speech which was a peculiarity of his. Some odd
+twist in his brain made it impossible for him to express himself in
+prose.
+
+"I'm Plumbo Boggs of old Bayhaven; from harm your air ship I'll be
+savin'," quoth he, striking an attitude.
+
+"Do you always talk that way?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Yes; I'm a poet, though you didn't know it," was the response.
+
+"Well, I don't know that that will keep you from being a good watchman,"
+smiled Dr. Perkins.
+
+"I'll watch by day or I'll watch by night; you'll soon find that I'm all
+right," was the quick response, while Plumbo's blue, rather watery eyes,
+flashed feebly.
+
+"That's satisfactory. Mind, you are to let no one on board, under any
+pretext whatever."
+
+"Pretext is a word that I don't understand; but I'll keep them off
+though they come in a band," rejoined Plumbo.
+
+"How much will you do the job for?" asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Two dollars will be my price to stay here; pay it and then no trouble
+you'll fear."
+
+"I'll agree to that," said Dr. Perkins, "we are going uptown now. I'll
+have your supper sent down to you and you are to remain here till you
+are relieved by us early to-morrow."
+
+"I'll stay right here, watchful and steady; you'll find me here when to
+go you're ready," declared Plumbo.
+
+"And now that everything is well I guess we'll start for the hotel,"
+said Frank, and not until both Dr. Perkins and Harry burst into a roar
+of laughter did he realize that he had caught the rhyming "infection"
+from the poetical Plumbo.
+
+"Be sure and don't forget my supper; I like pork and beans and bread and
+butter," called Plumbo after them as they left the wharf, and he took up
+his vigil.
+
+"An eccentric sort of character, but I guess he'll take good care of the
+_Sea Eagle_ while we're gone," said Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was on the tip of Frank's tongue to tell about their encounter with
+Duval; but the next instant he decided not to speak of it. Dr. Perkins
+had several important matters on his mind, and after all, the boy
+argued, Duval could not do them any harm now. After supper the editor of
+the local paper called round at the hotel to elicit from the aërial
+voyagers the story of their trip as far as it had gone. He was also
+correspondent for the Associated Press, he informed them. Dr. Perkins
+granted him a careful interview, in which he described part of their
+adventures, but was cautious not to reveal any of the details of the
+_Sea Eagle's_ construction. Shortly after the newspaperman had taken his
+departure the party retired, having left an early call for the morning,
+for it had been determined to get under way as soon as possible the next
+day.
+
+Bayhaven retired early to its rest, and the streets were deserted when,
+soon after midnight, three men walked down the main street, taking care
+to keep in the shadows of the buildings as they proceeded. One of the
+men was Duval, and the others were the Daniels, father and son. Their
+presence in Bayhaven is soon explained.
+
+As we know, the elder Daniels had offered to get money to finance the
+trip to the Black Bayou, and it was from relatives in Bayhaven that he
+calculated on getting it. The trio had arrived in the town the day
+before, and Daniels had promptly obtained the money as a loan, he having
+represented that the treasure was undoubtedly to be found in the
+long-forgotten wreck.
+
+They had been on the streets the day before when the approach of the
+_Sea Eagle_ was announced, and Duval instantly guessed that the oncoming
+air ship was the same that had rescued him and his employers from the
+illfated _Wanderer_. Neither the Daniels nor Duval himself knew anything
+of the destination of the _Sea Eagle_, nor did they guess for an instant
+that Harry Chester carried with him an exact duplicate of Duval's stolen
+plan. But their evil natures prompted them to do all the harm they could
+to the party, and it was with this end in view that they were making
+their way down the badly lighted and deserted streets of Bayhaven at
+such an hour. Duval's dislike of the boys had been roused to fever heat
+by their chase of him in the afternoon, and he was burning to do them
+some injury. From one of the elder Daniels' relatives the rascals had
+learned that Dr. Perkins and his two young friends were registered at
+the hotel, leaving the _Sea Eagle_ in charge of Plumbo. At once they had
+decided to visit the air ship and see what harm they could do it.
+
+Stealthily they advanced toward the wharf, revolving in their minds as
+they went what they would do when they got there.
+
+"We'll have to get that half-witted chap out of the way," declared
+Duval, in a low tone, "or he may make an outcry and arouse the whole
+place."
+
+"Leave that to me," Daniels assured him; "we'll fix him up all right."
+
+"You don't mean to hurt him? I don't want to get mixed up in anything
+like that," whimpered Duval, who was somewhat of a coward, as we know.
+
+Daniels actually chuckled.
+
+"Waal, you are a chicken-hearted fool," he muttered, "but don't you be
+scared. There won't be no necessity of hurtin' this Plumbo. I can
+recollect him from a time when I was here years ago. He's soft-headed
+and talks poetry. Them two things most allers goes together I've found."
+
+Nothing more was said till they reached the wharf. It was dark and
+deserted, but in the starlight the dim outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ could
+be seen as she lay at her moorings.
+
+"I'll bet a cruller that chap's asleep," whispered Zeb, as they crept
+forward cautiously.
+
+"Hope so. It'll make our work a lot the easier," chuckled his worthy
+father.
+
+But the next moment they had undeniable proof that the watchman was not
+slumbering. From amidst the ghostly outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ came
+Plumbo's voice.
+
+"Who's there so late? Answer up, mate."
+
+"Is that you, Plumbo?" said the elder Daniels.
+
+"Yes, this is me, as you can see."
+
+"How are we goin' ter see you when it's so confounded dark?" growled
+Daniels.
+
+"Well, what do you wish? To bathe or fish?" inquired Plumbo, ignoring
+this remark. Then he continued:
+
+"You'd better skip. You'll not board this ship."
+
+"That's just what we came here to do," replied Daniels, in an unruffled
+tone; "your mother is very ill and we come down to take charge of the
+air ship while you go home as quick as possible."
+
+Now poor Plumbo's love for his widowed mother was a matter of common
+talk in the village, and the cunning of the elder Daniels had suggested
+this scheme to him as they came along. It worked even better than he had
+dared to expect. The rhyming watchman gave a gasp of pained
+astonishment.
+
+"I must go home; though I ought not to roam," he said.
+
+"Make your mind easy about that, lad," Daniels assured him; "we'll watch
+this cloud clipper while you're gone. Dr. Perkins told us to stay here
+while you are gone."
+
+"I'll go home in a hurry; be back in a scurry," declared Plumbo, who was
+completely taken in. His none too acute brain had been easily imposed
+upon by Daniels' rascally trick. He scrambled up on the wharf and at
+once set off on a run for his home, crying as he went:
+
+"Watch every crack till I can get back."
+
+"Oh, go to the dickens while we get our pickin's," growled out young Zeb
+Daniels, at which specimen of wit his father laughed heartily, though in
+a subdued way.
+
+"Now, then, boys," said Daniels, as Plumbo's footsteps died away, "get
+busy and spile this cruise for that bunch of fine gentlemen. We'll show
+'em what it means to try to take folks' livings away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.--FRANK'S BATTLE.
+
+
+It was about midnight that Frank, for no reason that he could explain,
+awakened with a vague feeling of uneasiness. Try as he would he could
+not compose himself to sleep again, but lay awake, struggling with a
+sort of intuitive suspicion that all was not well with the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+At last, so strong did his conviction become, that, although he was
+ridiculing his fears all the time, he arose and dressed himself, and
+then started out for the wharf. For a moment he thought he would rouse
+Harry, who slept on another bed in the same room; but in the end he
+decided not to disturb his brother's repose. Perhaps he had a vague fear
+of ridicule, but at any rate Frank crept out of the hotel alone and made
+his way silently down the dark and empty streets.
+
+"This is certainly a fool's errand I'm going on," he told himself; "I
+suppose that my reward for my pains will be to hear some more of
+Plumbo's poetry, and yet--and yet, I can't help it. I couldn't sleep
+another wink unless I was sure that the _Sea Eagle_ was all right."
+
+Musing thus, and minimizing his own fears, Frank came in due time to the
+wharf. He made his way down it and was about to step forward to descend
+the ladder that led to the _Sea Eagle's_ deck, when he heard something
+that made him pause. He recognized the sound instantly.
+
+It was the rasp of a file!
+
+"My gracious! Somebody _is_ tampering with the _Sea Eagle_!" exclaimed
+the boy to himself. "My fears were not as groundless as I thought them,
+after all. I wonder if that rascal Duval----"
+
+The current of his thoughts was suddenly checked at this point by
+another noise near at hand. It seemed to come from behind a big pile of
+boxes on the wharf.
+
+"Goodness! What's that?" thought Frank, and then for the first time it
+flashed across him that if more than one man was engaged in the
+nefarious work that he was sure was going on, he was at a serious
+disadvantage. He had no weapons but his hands, whereas the others were
+undoubtedly well armed.
+
+"I'll slip back uptown as quickly as I can and arouse the authorities,"
+he decided, "if they are quick we can catch the rascals red-handed. I
+wonder what can have become of that fellow Jumbo or whatever his name
+was? I suppose he went to sleep or something. Well, it serves us right
+for leaving such an eccentric fellow on guard."
+
+Frank, who had been crouching in the shadow of the very boxes behind
+which he had heard the suspicious sounds, rose quickly to his feet. He
+was just slipping off, congratulating himself that he had been
+unobserved when from behind the boxes a dark figure suddenly emerged.
+
+"Hands up, Frank Chester," it exclaimed; "we've got you where we want
+you this time."
+
+"Zeb Daniels!" exclaimed Frank, dumbfounded with astonishment. He had
+not supposed the rascally young fisherman within miles of the place.
+
+"Yes; that's me. Don't move a step or you'll get hurt."
+
+But Frank's indignation overcame his prudence.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he demanded angrily.
+
+"None of your business."
+
+"It isn't, eh? Well I know that you are damaging Dr. Perkins' boat in
+some way and----"
+
+Frank stepped deftly aside as Zeb, who was a far heavier, stronger boy
+than the young aviator, made a tigerish jump at him, at the same time
+brandishing a thick club threateningly.
+
+But Zeb's sudden rush proved his undoing. Before he could recover his
+balance Frank had planted a clean, hard punch on the young ruffian's
+jaw, and Zeb reeled back dizzily. He recovered himself almost instantly,
+however, and without making a sound hurled himself at Frank once more.
+In a rough and tumble fight the sturdily built fisher boy might have
+been a match for Frank Chester, but Frank had already gained some
+advantage and he met Zeb's frenzied charge coolly.
+
+Zeb, as he got within reach, let loose a tremendous swing which, if it
+had struck Frank's head as his burly young opponent intended, might have
+laid him flat. But to his astonishment Zeb's fist met only empty air.
+Frank had ducked the blow with consummate ease, and the next instant:
+
+One! Two!--Crack! Smack! Two well-planted blows landed on Zeb's face and
+body. Frank was rushing in to complete his victory when he was suddenly
+seized from behind in a powerful grip and hurled to the ground with
+great violence.
+
+Zeb's father, on board the _Sea Eagle_, had heard the disturbance, and
+had swiftly and silently climbed the ladder leading up on to the wharf.
+Behind him, but at a prudent distance, came Duval. The Frenchman had no
+love for fighting, unless the odds were all in his favor, and he was by
+no means certain how many men might have attacked them.
+
+The elder Daniels took in the situation in a flash, and pinioned Frank's
+arms, just as the latter was about to put an end to the battle. Duval
+saw instantly that there was no personal danger to himself, and while
+the elder Daniels held a grimy, leathery paw over Frank's mouth to
+prevent his shouting for aid, Duval pinioned the lad's lower limbs.
+Helpless as a baby Frank lay there on his back, completely at the mercy
+of three individuals whom he had no reason to suppose would handle him
+gently.
+
+While he still lay there a helpless captive, young Daniels came up, and
+doubling up his fist deliberately struck the helpless boy in the face.
+But the elder of the Daniels angrily checked him.
+
+"Stow that," he muttered roughly. "What's the matter with you?"
+
+"I wanted to get even with him," whined Zeb; "he licked me and----"
+
+"Waal, git even some other way. Bring me that rope off them pile of
+boxes while I make him fast."
+
+Zeb said no more, but obediently fetched the rope, and before many
+minutes had passed Frank was bound hand and foot. Moreover, a gag,
+consisting of a dirty fragment torn from the elder Daniels' shirt, was
+thrust into his mouth.
+
+"What'll we do with him now?" demanded Zeb, when this had been done.
+
+"Humph, I hadn't thought of that," rejoined the elder fisherman; "we
+can't leave him here, for we don't want any one to find him when they
+come down, as they are bound to do afore long when that idiot Plumbo
+finds out that we've fooled him. What _will_ we do with the young game
+cock?"
+
+"I'd like to chuck him overboard," quoth Zeb amiably, staunching his
+bleeding nose with a dirty coat sleeve.
+
+"Don't waste time talking rubbish," angrily rejoined his parent; "see
+here, Duval, kain't you think of something?"
+
+"Yes, I can," was the eager reply; "it's just occurred to me. Ho! ho! I
+guess that'll keep him quiet for a while."
+
+"Well, what do you propose to do?" growled Daniels. "Don't stand there
+like an owl. Out with it."
+
+"Well, my friend, you see those big barrels over there?"
+
+"Yes, what about them?"
+
+"We'll put him in one of those and give him a sea trip."
+
+"By Jeehosophat, but that's a notion! I reckon by the time he's picked
+up, or drifts ashore, he'll be sorry he interfered with us."
+
+"That's a great scheme," chuckled Zeb, equally delighted. "That's what I
+call getting even in good shape."
+
+"Hold on a minute; how's the tide?" murmured Daniels. "We don't want him
+to be picked up too quick."
+
+"The tide's running out, pop," said Zeb, after a minute; "I tell you,
+though, what's the matter with putting the barrel in that dory there and
+then loading him in it? We can row out a ways and then dump him
+overside."
+
+"That's the best idea yet," warmly approved his worthy parent; "come on,
+boys, tumble the barrel into that dory. Lively, now!"
+
+The barrel, quite a big one, which had been used for salting down fish
+and was quite watertight, was lowered into the dory that Zeb's sharp
+eyes had spied with some difficulty.
+
+Frank had watched the movements of his captors as well as he could in
+the darkness; but he was quite unable to guess what all this meant,
+which, perhaps, was just as well. As the conversation had been carried
+on in whispers, he had not overheard a syllable of the rascally plan to
+set him adrift out of pure malice.
+
+Still bound and gagged, he was lowered into the dory, unable to call out
+or move, despite the now serious alarm he felt. What could the men be
+going to do with him, he wondered, and was still busy speculating on his
+probable fate when Zeb and his father cast off the dory and, with rapid
+strokes, began to row toward the mouth of the harbor on which Bayhaven
+is situated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.--A RASCALLY TRICK.
+
+
+While all this had been occurring on the wharf Plumbo Boggs had
+discovered the deception that had been practiced on him, and was
+hastening as fast as he could to the hotel. Even he, whose mind could
+not be called quick acting, realized that he was the victim of a trick,
+the object of which was, in all probability, to injure the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Arousing the night clerk, Plumbo begged to be directed to Dr. Perkins'
+room. The night clerk knew the eccentric character, and lost no time in
+escorting him to the doctor's quarters. Plumbo thundered on the door
+with noise sufficient to arouse the other guests.
+
+"What is it? What's happened?" shouted Dr. Perkins, thinking for an
+instant that the place must be on fire at least.
+
+"Oh, doctor, come quick! They've played us a trick!" yelled Plumbo.
+
+"Who? Where? What do you mean?" exclaimed Dr. Perkins, coming to the
+door.
+
+"Two men and a lad; they've fooled me bad."
+
+"Do you mean that they persuaded you to leave the _Sea Eagle_ alone and
+unguarded?"
+
+"They told me a story to get me from there; or I'd have given your air
+ship the best of good care," pleaded Plumbo, seriously alarmed at the
+angry look that had come over the doctor's face. "Don't be angry with
+me, I pray; if they hurt it I'll ask you no pay."
+
+"As if that would help," cried Dr. Perkins angrily; "wait there till I
+get some clothes on."
+
+He retreated into the room and as he hastily donned some garments he
+wondered who the men could be who had induced the soft-witted poet to
+leave his position of trust.
+
+"For the life of me I can't imagine who they can be," he was thinking,
+while he hurriedly laced his shoes, when the door opened and in walked
+Harry fully dressed.
+
+"I heard the noise in the corridor, and heard Plumbo telling you that
+something had happened to the _Sea Eagle_," he said excitedly.
+
+"I don't know that anything has happened yet," cried Dr. Perkins
+anxiously; "I'm hoping not. But from what I can gather from Plumbo's
+foolish talk three men induced him, on some pretext, to leave the ship
+unguarded. I must say it looks suspicious. But I cannot think who there
+is in this place where we are unknown who would want to harm us."
+
+The thought of Duval flashed across Harry's mind. He and Frank had
+decided not to tell Dr. Perkins about their encounter lest it should
+worry him; but surely the time to tell about it had come now.
+
+"We ought to have told you," he said, rather falteringly, "but we did
+not want to cause you undue anxiety,--we saw Duval this afternoon."
+
+"What!"
+
+Dr. Perkins almost shouted the question, or rather exclamation, in a
+thunderstruck tone.
+
+"Yes. We tried to catch him, but he escaped us. Frank can tell you all
+about it. By the way, where is Frank?"
+
+"Isn't he in your room?"
+
+"No; when I was awakened by the noise in the passage I saw that his bed
+was empty. I supposed that he had got out of bed ahead of me and had
+come in here."
+
+"I haven't seen him since we retired."
+
+"Then where can he be?"
+
+The inventor and the boy aviator stared at each other for an instant.
+
+"Good gracious, this looks serious, indeed," exclaimed Dr. Perkins; "not
+in his room, and not in the hotel, apparently. Where can he have gone
+to?"
+
+"That's what's worrying me," cried Harry, in a rather quavering tone;
+"I'm sure, perfectly sure, that that rascal Duval knows something about
+him wherever he is. Maybe he heard some word of a plot to injure the
+_Sea Eagle_ and has gone down to see if he can frustrate it. Duval----"
+
+"Yes; but Duval, if it is he, is not alone in this thing. Plumbo says
+there were two men and a lad."
+
+"Two men and a lad," cried Harry joyously, "then the lad must have been
+Frank."
+
+"But who could the others have been? They all came together and sent our
+watchman away."
+
+"It's all a deep mystery, doctor. I think our best plan is to make all
+the speed we can to the wharf. Perhaps we can find some solution there."
+
+"Yes; let us do so at once. I am all ready, are you?"
+
+"Yes; I hurried to get dressed as soon as I heard the noise in the
+corridor."
+
+Plumbo was waiting, and as they hastened down the street he explained in
+his odd rhyming speech just what had happened. He could not describe the
+men except to say that one had whiskers on his chin. In a part of the
+country where this is a favorite facial adornment this information was
+not much of a clew.
+
+It took the alarmed party much less time to reach the wharf than they
+would have thought was possible. In fact, almost the whole distance was
+traversed at a run. But when they arrived at the wharf and a lantern,
+which Dr. Perkins had had the foresight to bring along, had been
+kindled, they found nothing to inform them as to what had taken place.
+The doctor had not expected to find Plumbo's three men there, but he had
+had an idea that he would find something damaged about the _Sea Eagle_.
+But as careful an examination as it was possible to make by lamplight
+failed to reveal any trace of damage.
+
+Naturally this, instead of helping to clear the mystery, only deepened
+it. What object could the men have had who had sent Plumbo off on his
+wild goose chase if it had not been to wreak injury to the _Sea Eagle_?
+
+"Maybe they were some inventors who wanted to steal your ideas,"
+suggested Harry, recalling some experiences of their own with
+unscrupulous aviators.
+
+But Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+"Every important feature of the _Sea Eagle_ is fully covered by
+patents," he said; "there isn't a single idea they could appropriate in
+the short time they could have spent here anyhow."
+
+Harry had to admit that this was so, but to tell the truth his thoughts
+were centered more on Frank and on the strange circumstances surrounding
+his disappearance than they were on the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+"I'm as certain as that daylight will come again that Frank fits into
+this mix-up somewhere," he said, voicing his thoughts, "but the question
+is where?"
+
+"Well, he's not here now, that's certain," declared Dr. Perkins. "I
+propose that we should return to the hotel now that we have discovered
+that no damage has been done. He may meet us there."
+
+"Let's search the wharf first," said Harry, but, naturally, even their
+painstaking search failed to reveal any trace of Frank's fate till, all
+at once, Harry, who was carrying the lantern, came upon his brother's
+cap lying where it had fallen in the scuffle among the boxes.
+
+The bit of headgear had been kicked close to the string-piece of the
+wharf, and a fearful fear that made Harry's head swim shot into his
+mind. Could Frank have come down to the wharf, suspecting mischief was
+on foot, and have either fallen or been thrown into the water?
+
+"Look--look here, sir," he exclaimed in a shaking voice, as Dr. Perkins
+asked him what was the matter.
+
+"What is it?" asked the doctor, coming forward. "A clew?"
+
+"Yes; it's--it's Frank's cap, doctor. Pray heaven no harm has befallen
+him."
+
+"If it has, swift vengeance is going to overtake somebody," declared Dr.
+Perkins, clenching his hands; "where did you find the cap?"
+
+"Close to the string-piece. You--you don't think he could have fallen
+over?"
+
+"Nonsense," declared Dr. Perkins with a confidence he was far from
+feeling; "we'll get him back again safe and sound, never fear."
+
+But Harry's heart sank as he fingered his brother's cap.
+
+"I'm trying to think so, too, sir," he said miserably; "but--but----"
+
+He paused abruptly, for he could not have gone further without breaking
+down. Harry had gone through some anxious moments in his life, but never
+had his heart sunk so low as it did that night on the Bayhaven wharf.
+
+In the meantime, let us see how it was faring with the boy whose
+disappearance had caused such cruel fears--fears which even the vengeful
+tempers of Daniels and his son would have been satisfied with. We left
+Frank gagged and bound on the bottom of the dory, while Zeb and his
+father were pulling with strong, swift strokes for the open water.
+
+The dory shot swiftly and silently seaward, with Frank completely in the
+dark as to what was to be his fate. It occurred to him, though, that
+perhaps they meant to maroon him on some island. This thought did not
+give him so much anxiety as might have been expected, for he knew that
+the waters about Bayhaven were fairly populous with boats, and did not
+suppose that his captors meant to keep him a prisoner any longer time
+than would be necessary for them to take their departure from that part
+of the coast before the authorities could be notified.
+
+Imagine, then, his thrill of surprise when the boat suddenly stopped and
+the barrel, into which some big stones had been thrown to keep it
+upright in the water, was lowered from the dory. This done, Frank was
+lifted by main force and placed in it.
+
+A brutal laugh broke from Zeb and his father as they shoved the barrel
+containing its helpless captive away from the side of the dory. Duval
+said nothing, but his white teeth showed in a grin in the starlight.
+Frank, gagged as he was, could not utter a word or move a limb. He could
+only realize, with dumb agony, the terrible nature of his fate.
+
+Still laughing, the brutal rascals who had conceived the idea of setting
+him adrift, rowed off at a quick rate, leaving the barrel and its
+helpless occupant bobbing up and down on the swells of the starlit sea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.--REUNITED!
+
+
+Frank's heart sank as he cast a look about him and perceived the
+helplessness of his position.
+
+"If I could only get this gag off and shout for help," he thought,
+"maybe somebody would hear me."
+
+But there seemed to be no means of compassing this end, try as he would
+to think of some way. All at once, as the stars were beginning to fade
+and a faint flush of gray appeared in the east, he perceived a nail
+sticking up on the rim of the barrel. This gave him an idea. By bending
+slightly he would be able to bring the edge of the gag against the sharp
+pointed bit of metal, and possibly tear it out. At any rate, it was
+worth trying, and Frank at once proceeded to put his plan into action.
+
+It was a hard job to bend low enough to bring his mouth on a level with
+the nail, but fortunately the barrel was a large one, and consequently
+he had not so very far to stoop. By making a desperate effort he
+succeeded at last in dragging the gag across the nail. In doing this he
+scratched his chin, but he did not mind that, for the nail caught and
+held the rag, tearing it out of his mouth as he moved his head.
+
+"Hurray!" breathed Frank, inhaling a great lungful of fresh air. "Now I
+can at least make a racket, and maybe that will bring some one."
+
+With all his might he began shouting for help. In the still morning air
+his voice carried clearly across the water, and to the lad's huge
+delight it was not long before he perceived, coming toward him a small
+fishing boat, which, from the "chugging" sound it made, was evidently
+furnished with a gasolene engine.
+
+But the question that now agitated the boy was, "Would they see him or
+hear his voice above the loud noise of the motor?" If they did not,
+Frank realized that his plight would pass from a serious to a desperate
+state, for the barrel was, by this time, caught in a current which was
+rapidly increasing the distance between himself and the shore.
+
+To his intense relief, however, he saw the fishing boat suddenly change
+her course, and before long she was close enough for him to read the
+name "_Two Sisters_" on her broad, bluff bow.
+
+"Waal, by the tarnal!" came a gruff voice, "who and what are yer out
+here in a ba'rl?"
+
+The speaker, a burly-looking fellow, with a rough but kindly
+countenance, regarded Frank's face, which was all that was visible of
+him, with the most intense astonishment, as well he might. In a long
+experience off shore, covering all sorts of adventures, Captain Elihu
+Carney of the _Two Sisters_ had never before beheld a floating barrel
+with a human head projecting from it.
+
+"It's a kid--a boy!" shouted one of his mates from the stern of the _Two
+Sisters_, where he held the tiller.
+
+"Crack-e-e! so it air. Hey, kid, what yer doin' out here? Takin' a
+cruise, or is this one of them new-fangled health cures?"
+
+"It's neither, I assure you," cried Frank; "get me out of this and I'll
+tell you all about it."
+
+"I'll run alongside and you can climb out."
+
+"No, I can't," returned Frank; "I'm bound hand and foot."
+
+"What! Say, you be'ant one of them movin' picter fellers makin' a fillum
+be yer?"
+
+Captain Carney's rugged face held a look full of suspicion. Once not
+long before his boat had been boarded by a beauteous maiden, apparently
+fleeing from a band of desperadoes. The gallant captain had fished her
+out of the dory in which she was rowing from her pursuers and had
+threatened the apparent rascals with all sorts of dire things. Then to
+his chagrin a voice had hailed him:
+
+"Hey, you old mossback! You've spoiled a grind!"
+
+A "grind" being moving picture language for a film.
+
+"I certainly am not," returned Frank indignantly; "no moving pictures
+about this, I can tell you. This is the real thing."
+
+"Waal, as I don't see no camera about I reckon it's all right. Put her
+head round, Eph, and we'll pick him up, but 'once bitten twice shy,' you
+know."
+
+Eph, the helmsman, brought the bow of the _Two Sisters_ round and slowed
+up the engine. A minute later the fishing boat's side was scraping the
+barrel, and Captain Carney's muscular arms lifted Frank out of his
+floating prison as if he had been an infant.
+
+"Waal, I'll be double decked consarned!" he roared, as he saw the ropes
+that confined the boy's limbs. "Who done this?"
+
+"Some rascals who had good cause to wish me harm," said Frank. "I
+suppose they thought they could get rid of me while they made their
+escape."
+
+"What's the world comin' to?" cried the rugged skipper, throwing up his
+hands.
+
+He reached into his belt for a tarry sailor's knife and cut Frank loose
+in a few strokes of the keen blade. But the boy was so stiff from loss
+of circulation that it was some time before he recovered the use of his
+limbs. The _Two Sisters_, it turned out, was headed for Bayhaven, to
+which port she belonged, but so far had Frank drifted in his--or rather
+somebody else's barrel--that he was able to tell his whole story before
+the wharf was reached.
+
+As they neared it the skipper ordered Eph to blow the compressed air
+whistle so as to apprise every one ashore that something unusual was
+happening. Among the crowd that hastened to the wharf in response to the
+frenzied tooting Frank recognized Dr. Perkins and Harry. As they drew
+close he saw how white and strained their faces were, and realized what
+anxiety they must have been through on his account. He shouted loudly,
+and at the sound of his voice both Harry and the staid inventor set up a
+series of cheers that drowned the tooting of the whistle. As for Plumbo
+Boggs, who was also on the wharf, he burst into rhyme at once.
+
+"Home again! home again from the stormy sea; now that your chum is found
+all right, don't blame me!"
+
+So saying he capered about, snapping his fingers and performing a dozen
+odd antics while the _Two Sisters_ was making fast. Without waiting for
+Frank, who was still stiff and sore, to come up on the wharf, Harry and
+Dr. Perkins jumped to the deck of the _Two Sisters_, and the former
+fairly threw his arms about his brother's neck.
+
+"If you only knew how glad I am you have come back," he exclaimed.
+
+"What ever happened to you?" demanded Dr. Perkins.
+
+"It's a long story," said Frank, "and I'm famished. Suppose we ask
+Captain Carney and Eph to breakfast with us and while we are eating I'll
+tell you all about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.--OFF ONCE MORE.
+
+
+AS our readers are fully acquainted with Frank's adventure it would only
+tedious to relate all that took place at the breakfast. It may be said,
+however, that both Captain Carney and his mate received a substantial
+recognition of their services, from Dr. Perkins, in the form of a check.
+At first the bluff fishermen were by no means willing to take pay for
+what they had done, but were finally prevailed upon to accept the
+present, which, as Captain Carney owned, "would come in mighty handy."
+
+After the conclusion of the meal all hands adjourned to the wharf, and a
+thorough examination was made once more of the _Sea Eagle_, with the
+object of detecting any damage which the Daniels and Duval might have
+done her, and which might have been overlooked in the lamplight
+investigation made by Dr. Perkins and Harry. A bright spot was found on
+one of the metal braces. Undeniably it had been done by the teeth of a
+file, but it was only a superficial damage, which did not affect the
+strength of the _Sea Eagle_ in any way.
+
+"I guess Frank scared them away before they had time to do any more
+harm," was Dr. Perkins' conclusion; but later on he was to have a
+different opinion.
+
+As things were at present, however, Dr. Perkins felt no hesitation in
+declaring the _Sea Eagle_ fit to resume her voyage without further
+delay. The fresh provisions being on board, and there being nothing to
+prevent an immediate start, the voyagers at once made ready for a
+continuance of the trip which, so far, had proved so packed with
+adventure.
+
+The gasolene tank was refilled, and the emergency receptacles for the
+liquid fuel seen to. Plumbo Boggs was paid and instructions left to
+telegraph Dr. Perkins in New Orleans in case any trace was found of the
+miscreants, who undoubtedly had intended to injure the _Sea Eagle_, and
+who had played such a dastardly trick on Frank.
+
+"You'll fly from the sea far up to the sky; good-by! good-by! good-by!
+good-by!" cried Plumbo Boggs as the ropes that held the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the wharf were cast off and, amidst a loud cheer from the crowd, the
+engine was started.
+
+It was a fine summer morning with a glassy sea and a sky that was
+cloudless, except in the east, where a great mass of castellated white
+clouds were piled up.
+
+"You'd best hug the shore," were Captain Carney's parting words of
+advice. "To my mind we'll have a storm of some sort before the day's
+out."
+
+But in the noise and excitement of the departure his words were unheard
+and the _Sea Eagle_ started off down the coast with the warning
+unheeded. Dr. Perkins ran the craft over the water till the mouth of the
+harbor was reached, easily outdistancing some fast launches that tried
+to keep up with them. When they got "outside," the _Sea Eagle_ was
+driven ahead at top speed, and with her rising planes set at a sharp
+angle she was driven upward till a height of some five hundred and fifty
+feet had been obtained. Her course was due south.
+
+They were flying over a small island not far from the shore when Frank,
+who was looking over the side, noticed a dory ashore on the beach. He
+had hardly noticed this before three figures came running down to the
+beach and pointed upward. One of them jerked a rifle up to his shoulder,
+and a minute later a puff of smoke came from the barrel. Simultaneously
+a bullet sang through the rigging of the _Sea Eagle_, boring a small
+hole in one of the upper planes, but, fortunately, not striking any
+vital part of the craft or doing injury to her passengers.
+
+"That's those rascals now!" exclaimed Frank indignantly. "They must have
+rowed down to that island and are waiting there for a chance to get
+ashore quietly. Shall we go down and attack them?"
+
+Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+"Nothing much would be gained by it," he said, "and it would only delay
+our trip."
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was flying fast, and the rascals on the island, who, as
+Frank had rightly guessed, were the two Daniels and Duval, had no chance
+to try a second shot. At noon, after a steady flight all the morning,
+the voyagers found themselves off Martha's Vineyard. A hasty lunch was
+eaten in midair, with the _Sea Eagle_ still winging her way like a
+grayhound of the sky.
+
+The shore swam by below them like a panorama, but they only viewed it
+indistinctly, as the course was kept about five miles off shore. In the
+afternoon they saw, off to the right, a stretch of mammoth hotels and
+amusement resorts.
+
+"Atlantic City!" cried Frank. "I'll bet there are hundreds of glasses
+leveled at us from the boardwalk right now."
+
+"I guess so," rejoined Harry. "We must look funny way out here at sea."
+
+It was half an hour later that Frank's attention was attracted to the
+sky by the sudden blotting out of the sun, which had been shining
+brightly. He gave a cry of alarm as he looked upward. A vast bank of
+black clouds had come rolling up, like a sable curtain, blotting out the
+blue sky. The sea below was leaden and angry in hue, and its surface was
+flecked with white caps.
+
+"We're in for some bad weather, I'm afraid," declared Dr. Perkins, when
+Frank called his attention to it.
+
+Hardly had he spoken before, from the cloud bank, a red, jagged flash of
+lightning blazed. It was followed almost instantly by a sharp clap of
+thunder, and some heavy rain drops began to patter on the broad upper
+planes of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+"I'll make for shore," declared Dr. Perkins; "we must be about off Cape
+May now. We can lie there in shelter till this blows itself out."
+
+"That will be the best idea," said Frank. "This is going to be a hummer.
+Wow! Look at that!"
+
+A flash of lightning, that seemed as if the whole curtain of clouds had
+been split from top to bottom, had caused his exclamation. So brilliant
+was the glare that it caused them all to blink involuntarily.
+
+"Put on full speed, Frank!" shouted Dr. Perkins above the deafening peal
+of thunder that followed.
+
+Frank needed no second bidding. He opened both gasolene and spark levers
+to their full capacity. Dr. Perkins had already headed the _Sea Eagle_
+for the distant low-lying shore. This caused the craft to plunge almost
+as much as if she were "bucking" into a heavy sea. For the wind was off
+shore, and the thunder storm, as such storms frequently do, was coming
+up against it.
+
+Suddenly, in the midst of the fight with the wind, Frank noticed an
+ominous sound from the motor. It gave a sort of spluttering, coughing
+exhaust and slowed down perceptibly.
+
+"What's wrong now?" he exclaimed anxiously. "Gracious, if the motor
+should go out of business now!"
+
+He did not say this aloud, but bent over the laboring machine to try and
+ascertain what was the matter with it.
+
+"More speed!" cried Dr. Perkins from the forward part of the air ship;
+"we can't fight this wind at this pace."
+
+"There's something the matter with the motor," shouted Frank above the
+now almost continuous rolling of the thunder. "I can't make out what----"
+
+A sudden loud report, like a pistol shot, came from the engine--a
+back-fire, as it is called--and the next instant the motor stopped dead.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was at that moment some 750 feet above the angry sea,
+with the storm raging about her furiously. Before Dr. Perkins could
+realize what had happened, the big craft began to drop downward with
+sickening velocity, while her occupants clung on to whatever was handy,
+with the desperate clutch of drowning men.
+
+Frank had just time to shout:
+
+"The life preservers! Quick, quick! for heaven's sake!"
+
+But there was no time to obey the order before the _Sea Eagle_ struck
+the waves, hurling spray and wind-driven foam in a great cloud all about
+her wings and substructure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.--A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
+
+
+The next moments were filled with anxiety. The sea was running high,
+and, although Dr. Perkins had brought his craft upon a level keel by
+skillful volplaning, before it struck the waves, the situation was
+extremely serious.
+
+The hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ was built lightly, and,
+although it was well strengthened with braces, the test was a severe
+one. Over the bow the crests of the waves broke constantly, showering
+the occupants with spray. The _Sea Eagle_ was tossed about helplessly, a
+plaything of the waves, while her adventurers strove to collect their
+thoughts and decide what was to be done.
+
+First they adopted Frank's suggestion and donned the life jackets, so
+that if the worst came to the worst they would have a fighting chance
+for their lives. When this had been done, Frank, who had had some
+experience in motor boats, supervised the rigging of a "spray-hood"
+across the bow. This kept some of the spray out, and, although it was
+formed of sheets of spare canvas intended to be used as waterproof night
+coverings, it answered its purpose well enough.
+
+"Do you think that there is a chance of our keeping afloat?" asked Harry
+when this had been done.
+
+"Well, we appear to be making out all right so far," rejoined Dr.
+Perkins; "the wing floats are working well, and if only we can get the
+engine going again we may be able to fly ashore yet."
+
+The wing floats referred to were nothing more nor less than the light
+cylindrical pontoons affixed to each lower wing tip. They acted
+precisely as "outriggers" would do in steadying the _Sea Eagle_. In
+fact, had it not been for this lateral support, the craft must have
+turned turtle under the terrific tossing she was receiving.
+
+"I'm going right to work on the engine," announced Frank.
+
+With Harry to help him, the lad proceeded to carry out this purpose. But
+it was the hardest bit of "trouble finding" he had ever done. The motion
+of the _Sea Eagle_, as she was tossed on a wave crest and then hurled
+into the abyss beyond, made it hard to hold on, let alone investigating
+the complicated mechanism of a motor. But as time wore on and they still
+kept afloat, they began to have hopes that they would at least stay on
+the surface till the engine could be started once more.
+
+One after another Frank made the different tests employed to ascertain
+the various troubles that may assail a gasolene motor. He tested the
+ignition, the spark, the gasolene supply and the bearings. Everything
+appeared to be all right, and he paused in a puzzled way before he went
+to work on the carburetor. That is a delicate piece of mechanism, even
+to an ingenious boy like Frank Chester; but he finally concluded that
+the trouble must lie there. His first task was to open the relief cock
+and drain the brass bowl of the mixing chamber.
+
+He turned the valve, and the mystery of the stoppage of the engine was
+instantly explained.
+
+Sand had been placed in the carburetor by persons whom Frank had little
+difficulty in mentally identifying.
+
+"So that was what those rascals did!" he cried aloud. "No wonder we
+couldn't find anything the trouble with the ship. They were too foxy for
+that, and could hardly have found a better way of injuring the _Sea
+Eagle_ than to do that."
+
+"Is there any way of fixing the damage?" asked Dr. Perkins, who, with
+Harry, had hastened to Frank's side as he cried out over his discovery.
+
+"Yes. Thank goodness, we've got a spare carburetor on board, for it
+would take a week to clean out this. If no sand has got into the
+cylinders I think I can promise to get things going again before very
+long."
+
+Out of the locker in which the spare parts were kept Frank produced
+another carburetor. But unscrewing the feed pipe and taking off the old
+mixing chamber and adjusting the new one were tedious tasks, especially
+under the circumstances in which Frank was compelled to work. But at
+last it was done, and with a beating heart Frank adjusted the
+self-starter. A few seconds now would decide their fate.
+
+Harry shivered in anticipation of failure as his brother, having got the
+engine going by the just mentioned appliance, turned on the gasolene and
+spark.
+
+For a breathless instant their fate hung in the balance, and then there
+came the welcome sound of the exhaust. Bit by bit Frank allowed the
+speed to increase, till the engine was running at its full capacity of
+revolutions. But the propellers were not turning, as before testing the
+motor he had thrown the clutch out of gear.
+
+"I think that we can try to rise now," he said calmly, after the motor
+had run without a miss or a skip for ten minutes or so.
+
+"I think so, too," said Dr. Perkins, "and I want to tell you, Frank,
+that you have done what I would not have believed possible under the
+conditions."
+
+Another anxious moment followed when the clutch was thrown in and the
+full load of the propellers came upon the engine. But not a hitch
+occurred. The large-bladed driving fans of the _Sea Eagle_ beat the air
+rapidly and surely, and the hydroplane-formed underbody began to glide
+over the tops of the waves, instead of rolling and pitching helplessly
+among them. To the westward, too, there showed a patch of lighter sky,
+heralding the passing of the storm.
+
+But, as if unwilling to allow them to escape without again bringing
+their hearts into their mouths, the storm had one more buffeting to give
+them. As full power was applied, and the _Sea Eagle_ rose above the
+tossing wave crests and headed slantingly skyward, there came a sudden
+puff of wind.
+
+Skillful as Dr. Perkins was, it caught him momentarily unprepared. In
+the wink of an eye the _Sea Eagle_ careened over, almost on her "beam
+ends." It seemed as if the right hand wing tips actually touched the
+water. One inch more and there might have been an abrupt conclusion to
+this story, but Dr. Perkins' hands seemed to be everywhere at once. They
+flashed among levers and wheels.
+
+For the space of a breath the _Sea Eagle_ hung almost vertically, and
+then the big craft suddenly righted and shot upward on an even keel once
+more. But the moment had been an awful one, and as they winged their way
+upward not one aboard was there but felt that they had been delivered
+from a dreadful fate by what might well be described as a miracle.
+
+[Illustration: ONE INCH MORE AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ABRUPT
+CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.--A RACE TO CLOUDLAND.
+
+
+Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted
+during their battle with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast time
+beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead. In fact, it appeared to the
+boys that they actually outflew the wind. At any rate, it was not long
+before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them
+that they were close to the shore.
+
+An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins
+began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land. He soon spied
+a spot,--a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far
+from the center of the city. Calling to Frank to "stand by" the engines,
+he began to descend in a series of circles.
+
+Coming to earth in a high wind is a risky bit of business for the air
+man, about as dangerous a maneuver, in fact, as can be imagined. But in
+this case there was no choice for Dr. Perkins and his young friends,
+unless they wanted to be carried clear across the cape and into Delaware
+Bay.
+
+Below them they could now see excited crowds racing toward the
+ball-ground, as soon as it became evident that that was the spot where
+the air men intended to alight. This did not please Dr. Perkins at all.
+A crowd was the last thing that he wished to have about when he made his
+drop earthward. But there was no help for it, and he kept on descending,
+trusting to the good sense of the throngs below to get out of the way
+when the time came.
+
+But crowds have never been remarkable for their common sense, and this
+one was no exception. The last "bank" had been made with safety, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ was making a clean-cut swoop to earth, when the crowd rushed
+in right below her. To have kept the craft on its course would have
+meant much injury, and possible loss of life. On the other hand, Dr.
+Perkins knew that in the wind that was blowing it would be dangerous in
+the extreme to the air craft to change her course.
+
+"Get out of the way!" he shouted.
+
+"Out of the way unless you want to get hurt!" yelled Frank and Harry.
+
+But the crowd, like foolish sheep, only stared and gaped, and made not
+the slightest effort to avoid the on-driving _Sea Eagle_.
+
+There was only one thing to do, and Dr. Perkins did it. There was a
+quick twist of his steering wheel, and the _Sea Eagle_, instantly
+obeying her helm, darted off in an opposite direction to the one in
+which she had been advancing. Like a flash Dr. Perkins pulled the rising
+lever, at the same time shouting to Frank to stop the engines
+momentarily. He thought that the _Sea Eagle_ would rise of her own
+volition, and knew that if the engines kept driving at top speed that
+his craft would be plunged prow first into the earth.
+
+So he chose the lesser of the two evils, and the maneuver might have
+been successful but for one thing. There was not room in which to
+execute it.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ hesitated, half rose, and then crashed down to the
+ground, landing heavily on one wing tip and smashing it to bits. Frank
+and Harry were pitched clean out of the hydroplane substructure when the
+impact came, and a cry of alarm went up from the crowd. But Dr. Perkins
+clung to his seat and brought the big craft to a stop.
+
+Fortunately neither Frank nor Harry had been much injured, beyond being
+badly shaken up and bruised, and they were both on their feet again in a
+jiffy after the accident. The crowd, as if realizing that its actions
+had had a good deal to do with the accident, forebore to press in, and
+they made their way to Dr. Perkins' side without difficulty.
+
+"Is she much injured?" was Frank's first question.
+
+"By good luck I think we have escaped serious damage," rejoined Dr.
+Perkins, "but only an examination can tell."
+
+At this moment a well-dressed, prosperous-looking man came elbowing
+through the crowd. He came straight up to Dr. Perkins with hand
+extended.
+
+"Well, Perkins!" he exclaimed. "I always told you you'd have a tumble
+some time, and now you've had it; right in my back yard, too. But I'm
+sincerely glad to see that neither you nor your machine appears to be
+much injured."
+
+The newcomer was Mr. James Studley, an old acquaintance of the
+inventor's, who was summering at Cape May. The doctor was very glad to
+see him and accepted his cordial invitation to spend the night at his
+house, the boys, of course, being included in the invitation.
+
+In the meantime, a squadron of police had arrived, who drove back the
+crowds, and arrangements were made to keep a guard on duty all night
+till an examination of the wrecked machine could be made.
+
+"The accident, if it had to happen, could not have occurred more
+conveniently, so to speak," Dr. Perkins confided to his companions as
+they followed Mr. Studley to a handsome house not far away. "Mr. Studley
+is a manufacturer of aëroplanes, and has started a factory here, so that
+very probably we can get material to repair our damages without much
+trouble."
+
+This was good news indeed to the boys, who had begun to fear that the
+trip might be abandoned.
+
+They enjoyed a good dinner and a change into dry clothes as the guests
+of Mr. Studley and his wife, and bright and early the next morning
+repairs were made to the splintered wing tip, which was not so badly
+damaged as had at first appeared. Mr. Studley, who had provided workmen
+and materials for the task from his aëroplane factory, refused to hear
+of any compensation.
+
+"Such services should be rendered freely and gladly by one birdman to
+another," he declared laughingly. "Who knows that some day I may not
+drop in on you at your island, in more senses than one."
+
+As every trace of the storm had vanished, and the morning was bright and
+clear, no obstacle opposed itself to the continuance of their journey as
+soon as the repairs had been completed. So fine was the weather, in
+fact, that Mr. Studley declared his intention of accompanying them in a
+light "runabout" aëroplane of the monoplane class, for a short distance.
+
+The machine, a pretty little affair of the Bleriot type, was soon
+wheeled out, and Mr. Studley declared all was ready for the start. As on
+the evening before, a large crowd had gathered, but the police kept them
+back, and gave the two vastly different aëroplanes a clear field in
+which to rise. A greater contrast could not well be imagined than that
+presented by the heavy, rather cumbersome-looking _Sea Eagle_ with her
+substantial underbody and huge wing spread, and the trim, dainty little
+monoplane, which was named the _Green Firefly_.
+
+"We're all ready when you are," exclaimed Dr. Perkins, turning to his
+friend, who was already seated in his long-bodied, gauzy-winged air
+craft.
+
+"All right! Clear the way!" cried Mr. Studley with a wave of his hands.
+
+His mechanics gave the propeller of the monoplane a twirl, as it was not
+provided with self-starting mechanism, and a moment later the roaring
+fusillade of the _Sea Eagle's_ motor was drowning the sharp, angry,
+hornet-like buzzing of the _Green Firefly_.
+
+"Go!" yelled Mr. Studley, and simultaneously, as it seemed, the two sky
+ships dashed forward over the smooth sward.
+
+"Hooray!" shouted the crowd.
+
+"They're off!" shouted others.
+
+And then, a minute later:
+
+"Look! They're going up!"
+
+"So they are!" cried the spectators, as if there was any room for doubt
+about the matter.
+
+The light _Firefly_ was first, by the fraction of a second, to point her
+sharp nose up toward the tranquil blue dome of the sky. But the _Sea
+Eagle_ was not tardy in following.
+
+"Come on!" shouted Mr. Studley, casting a swift glance back over his
+shoulder at his large comrade of the air. He appeared to think that he
+would have little difficulty in distancing the huge machine.
+
+"We haven't begun yet!" cried Dr. Perkins back to him, with an answering
+wave of the hand.
+
+Nor was the _Sea Eagle_ as yet making a quarter of the speed she was
+capable of. On account of her great weight, and general size of her wing
+spread, it was not advisable to "open everything up" at once when she
+made an ascent from the land.
+
+The _Firefly_ darted ahead like some creature that rejoiced to be
+sporting in its element. But close behind came a roar and whirr as Frank
+let out another notch on the _Sea Eagle_. Up and up they flew, while the
+crowd below dwindled to pigmies, and the houses looked like so many toy
+Noah's Arks. It was plain enough that Mr. Studley was engaged in a
+good-natured effort to show his friend that the _Firefly_ was an
+infinitely faster craft than her cumbersome rival. He darted this way
+and that, making spirals and doing rocking-chair evolutions with the
+perfection of aërial grace.
+
+Dr. Perkins attempted none of these stunts, but from time to time he
+turned back to Frank and nodded as a signal to give the craft a little
+more power.
+
+By the time the twin propellers were developing their top push and
+speed, the owner of the _Firefly_ realized that he had a tussle on his
+hands. He ceased his graceful evolutions and settled down to real
+flying. But he had not gone a mile over the aërial race track before the
+_Sea Eagle_ thundered past him like a "Limited" of the skies.
+
+"Good-by and thank you!" Dr. Perkins found time to yell, as they flashed
+past, bound due south once more.
+
+"Good-by. Good luck to you!" came from Mr. Studley, as he waved his hand
+in the realization that he was beaten.
+
+There was no time to exchange more words. In a few minutes the boys,
+looking back, could only see a black speck like a shoe button against
+the sky to mark where the defeated _Firefly_ was turning about and
+heading for home.
+
+As for the _Sea Eagle_, at sixty miles an hour, and with her motor going
+faster every minute, that staunch and speedy craft was winging her way
+at top speed for her distant goal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.--THE BOY AVIATORS' PLUCK.
+
+
+But it was almost a week later that the 1,400 odd miles down the coast
+to Fernandina, Florida, and from thence overland to the Crescent City,
+were completed. Storms and minor accidents spun out the voyage to this
+length, although Dr. Perkins had calculated on making a faster run. In
+fact, his aim had been to make about 500 miles a day, with night flights
+to help out, if possible.
+
+Many interesting incidents, which it would require another volume to
+chronicle in detail, marked the trip. Off Savannah the _Sea Eagle_ towed
+a disabled motor boat, containing a pleasure party, into port, and a
+short time later flew above the Atlantic squadron of the United States
+fleet bound south for target practice. Aërial greetings were exchanged
+by wireless between the _Sea Eagle_ and Uncle Sam's bulldogs of the
+ocean.
+
+The next day the _Sea Eagle_ was once more enabled to render aërial
+ambulance service by taking an injured keeper from a lighthouse off
+Fernandina into port, and arranging for a substitute to be sent out at
+once. At every city they stopped they received a great reception, for by
+this time the flight of the _Sea Eagle_ had received the attention of
+the country through the medium of the newspapers.
+
+Possibly one incident may be worth chronicling in more detail. This
+occurred when, a short time after rising for a night flight from Eufala,
+Alabama, to the Mississippi State line, Frank descried, through some
+trees, what he thought was the rising moon.
+
+"That's the funniest-looking moon I ever saw," declared Harry, who
+happened to be doing duty as engineer.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with it?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Why, it's red."
+
+"Probably caused by the mist from some marshlands," decided Dr. Perkins,
+who was resting, while Frank guided the _Sea Eagle_, at which he had
+become quite expert. But the next moment he changed his opinion.
+
+"It isn't the moon at all. It's the glare from a fire, and a big one,
+too. Let's hurry up, boys."
+
+Neither Frank nor Harry needed any urging, and the _Sea Eagle_ was soon
+traversing the air so fast that the wind sang in their ears. As they
+raced along the glare grew brighter and angrier, glowing with a lambent
+red core from which flames could be seen leaping skyward like a nest of
+fiery serpents.
+
+A few minutes brought them into full view of the conflagration. It
+proved to be a fine old farm-house. The front of the place was a mass of
+flame, and the blaze appeared to be bursting through the roof. Men could
+be seen running about the grounds like a nest of disturbed ants, and
+others were hastening on foot, in autos and in buggies, from every
+direction.
+
+Nobody paid any attention to the oncoming aëroplane in the excitement,
+and when it dropped to earth on the lawn in front of the blazing
+building, there was the liveliest sort of confusion. Some of the farmers
+did not know what to make of the visitor from the skies, but their more
+enlightened neighbors soon informed them, and recalled the newspaper
+accounts they had read of the _Sea Eagle's_ great flight.
+
+"Anybody in the building?" shouted Frank, jumping from the _Sea Eagle_
+as the craft came to a standstill.
+
+Nobody answered for a moment, but suddenly, from the back of the
+building, came a piercing scream.
+
+"Help! Help!"
+
+"Goodness, that's a woman calling!" exclaimed Frank. "Come on, Harry."
+
+Both boys dashed round to the rear of the blazing mansion, and there, at
+a third-story window, they saw a woman with a baby in her arms, leaning
+out and frantically calling for help.
+
+"Get a ladder!" shouted Frank.
+
+"No time to hunt for it," cried Harry. "We'll have to try another way."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"See the flat roof of that coach house over there? If we had a board we
+could make a bridge from it to the window."
+
+"But how are we to get to the roof of the coach house?"
+
+"Fly there."
+
+"What! in the _Sea Eagle_?"
+
+"Why not? The roof is flat and big enough to give us room to land if we
+are careful."
+
+"Cracky! I think you're right. Has anybody got a board?"
+
+"Here you are," exclaimed a man who had darted off to a lumber pile when
+he overheard Harry's plan.
+
+"Good! I think this will be long enough. Come on, Harry, let's lose no
+time. See, the flames are almost at that part of the house."
+
+At top speed the two boys ran back to the _Sea Eagle_, calling to Dr.
+Perkins to join them. Hastily they explained what they meant to do. Dr.
+Perkins was inclined to doubt if the plan was feasible, but as it
+appeared to be the only way to save the woman and the child, he agreed
+to attempt it, grave though the risk of disaster to the _Sea Eagle_
+appeared to be.
+
+While the excited men gathered about, and the woman's cries still filled
+the air, the _Sea Eagle_ was started up, and after circling about,
+dropped to the coach house roof. The big craft landed without mishap,
+but Frank reversed the engines barely in time to prevent her from
+rolling off. However, with the front wheels of the substructure on the
+very brink of the cornice, the _Sea Eagle_ came obediently to a
+standstill.
+
+They had brought the board with them, and it was shoved across to the
+woman, who saw at once what they intended to do. She secured it to the
+ledge of the window at which she had been standing, and Frank worked his
+way across the plank bridge and took the child in his arms. He recrossed
+in safety with it, and then came the woman's turn to trust herself to
+the frail bridge. But she hesitated till smoke was pouring into the
+room, and then, fairly driven to try the slender support, she began to
+cross it.
+
+From the coach house roof the boys called encouragingly to her, for the
+plank was far too weak to bear the weight of two persons. Even under
+Frank and the baby it had sagged ominously. Something in the woman's
+face as she neared the end of her journey caused Frank to reach out
+toward her. It was well that he had the foresight to do so, for as she
+reached the end of her journey she suddenly fainted.
+
+Another instant and she would have fallen forty feet to the ground, but
+Frank caught her dress in a strong grip. Luckily, it was of stout
+material and did not rip as he seized it. Dr. Perkins and Harry came to
+his aid the next minute, and with their united strength they managed to
+draw the woman's limp form to safety.
+
+Hardly had they done so before the flames began breaking out fiercely
+from the back of the house, and, driven by the strong wind, they were
+uncomfortably close to the coach house roof. No time was lost in placing
+the woman and her infant in the _Sea Eagle_, after which the air craft
+was started. Dr. Perkins rose to a suitable height from which to make a
+safe descent, and then swept down to the ground, carrying the first
+woman and child in the history of the world to be saved from a blazing
+building by aëroplane.
+
+The woman soon recovered after some friends of the neighborhood had
+taken her and her child to a nearby dwelling.
+
+The owner of the building, and the husband of the woman who had been so
+bravely rescued, now came bustling up, his face beaming with gratitude.
+At the moment he was not thinking of the fire but of the brave strangers
+from the sky who had saved his wife and child.
+
+"I don't know who you are, or where you came from," he exclaimed, "but
+you literally dropped from the skies when all hope appeared lost. I was
+in town buying stock, and on my way out I saw the flames coming from my
+home. Knowing my wife and child had retired I dreaded to think what
+would have happened if they had not been aroused. I arrived here in time
+to find my worst fears realized. How can I ever thank you for what you
+have done?"
+
+"Oh, we only tried to do what we could," said Frank modestly; "we saw
+the fire and came down to see if we couldn't help."
+
+"I owe the lives of my wife and child to your quickness and courage, and
+that wonderful airship of yours," vehemently declared the man, whose
+name was Winfield Thomas, a wealthy farmer. "It was a real blessing you
+happened along as you did."
+
+Dr. Perkins and the boys could only repeat how glad they were to have
+done what they could. Without waiting much longer, except to
+congratulate Mrs. Thomas on her quick recovery, and to express the hope
+that she would feel no bad effects from her experience, the voyage was
+shortly resumed. But the adventure at the burning farm house long
+remained in the boys' memory, and strengthened their attachment to the
+_Sea Eagle_.
+
+Nearing New Orleans they caught a wireless message from Billy Barnes
+telling them that he had secured quarters for the _Sea Eagle_ in
+Algiers, a suburb across the river from the city. That night one stage
+of the trip was concluded when, in answer to a signal given with a blue
+lamp, they dropped into a field on the outskirts of Algiers and housed
+the _Sea Eagle_ in a large barn.
+
+"Thunder and turtles!" cried Pudge when that night in the St. Charles
+Hotel they were relating their adventures. "You fellows have all the fun
+and we do all the work."
+
+"Never mind, Pudge," said Frank; "I guess we'll have adventures in
+plenty ahead of us when we try to locate the wreck of the _Belle of New
+Orleans_."
+
+"Which will be as soon as possible," said Dr. Perkins. "Our trip has
+taken us longer than I anticipated, and there is a strong chance that
+Duval may have got ahead of us."
+
+"There's another reason for hurrying," declared Billy, who had just
+wired to his paper a long account of the _Sea Eagle's_ trip; "they say
+that the river is rising. There have been unprecedented rainstorms and
+the levees are weakening. Negroes are at work on them all along the
+line, but they doubt if they can make them hold if the river keeps
+rising."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.--CAPTURED BY AËROPLANE.
+
+
+During the short time that they had been in the city Ben Stubbs and his
+two young companions had done wonders in the way of collecting equipment
+for the purpose of rifling the treasure which it was expected lay in the
+submerged hulk of the _Belle of New Orleans_. A diving suit with pumping
+apparatus of the latest type, blocks and tackles and hand spikes were
+among the things laid in stock. Ben had also invested in a new device, a
+submarine searchlight. The choice of this last was warmly approved by
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+"I was wondering how it would be possible to find one's way about the
+sunken ship without some such article," he said approvingly, and old
+Ben's rugged face glowed with satisfaction.
+
+"Trust an old timer, sir, for remembering those things," he said.
+
+"Indeed, nobody could have selected a more complete outfit," rejoined
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+The inventory of the goods was taken the next morning, and hiring a boat
+the stuff was transported to Algiers, where the _Sea Eagle_ had been
+looked after over night by a couple of darkies.
+
+As they crossed the river in a hired boat they noticed how swiftly the
+current ran and how discolored it was. The negro who rowed them
+commented on it, too.
+
+"Dey be po'ful big flood befo' long, genelmen," he opined, "an' when ole
+man Mississip' git up on his hind lags ain't nuffin' kin stop him. Dem
+lebees dey go jes lak so much straw er hay."
+
+"All the more reason for our making haste," said Dr. Perkins, addressing
+the others; "it would be hard fortune indeed if Ben were to be robbed of
+his fortune by a flood."
+
+The shed which had sheltered the _Sea Eagle_ overnight was close to the
+water's edge so that the goods were soon transported on board. All was
+found to be in good shape, and the two darkies, who had watched the air
+craft overnight, received an extra gratuity for their pains. The
+adventurers had been particular not to give out any details of their
+flight, and it was expected that they would stay in New Orleans for some
+days before proceeding, so that no curious crowd, only a few negroes and
+stragglers, were on hand to see them start.
+
+Dr. Perkins had an excellent chart of the river, showing distinctly the
+location of Black Bayou, which lay back from the river amidst a maze of
+other wriggly creeks and water courses. The _Belle of New Orleans_ had
+been on her way to a "far back" plantation to pick up cotton, when she
+blew up, which accounted for the wreck being submerged in such an out of
+the way place.
+
+As they flew along the river, but far above it, they could see human
+beings, busy as ants, working along the levees, strengthening them
+against the dreaded floods which already had devastated whole sections
+of country in Ohio and farther up the mighty stream. At length the
+course of the _Sea Eagle_ was changed till she was flying over a perfect
+maze of water courses and bayous, winding in and out of a dense forest.
+From above, it looked like a lace work of water overlying a piece of
+dark green plush.
+
+But the map showed a landmark for Black Bayou. Harry's plan was marked
+"Ruined plantation house and sugar mill." Frank was the first to spy out
+this important "bearing." The _Sea Eagle_ was at that time not very far
+up, and the gaunt walls and desolate overgrown buildings of the once
+prosperous place could be seen clearly. "Giant cypress with three
+forks," was the next marking, and, sure enough, on a little patch of an
+island, not far from the ruined plantation, they presently saw a gaunt
+dead tree answering this description.
+
+"Bayous and bullfrogs! We're getting hot now!" cried Pudge excitedly.
+"Ben, I believe that that rascal was telling the truth after all."
+
+"I'm inclined to think so, too, Master Pudge," rejoined Ben; "and
+look--look there--that must be the Catfish Island marked on the plan. See,
+it's just the shape of one of them critters."
+
+"So it is, Ben," cried Frank, peering down. "Goodness, this _is_
+exciting, though. Just think, in a short time we shall know if our
+flight for a fortune is----"
+
+"A fizzle or not," interrupted the slangy Pudge.
+
+"Right off Catfish Island two points to the north," read out Harry.
+
+Dr. Perkins glanced at the compass and slightly altered the direction of
+the _Sea Eagle;_ then he allowed the great craft to drop gently to rest
+on the waters of Black Bayou.
+
+Harry referred to the plan again.
+
+"North a hundred yards to the Lone Pine Island."
+
+"There it is," cried Frank, indicating a small spot of land on which a
+dead pine reared its bare trunk.
+
+Hardly had he spoken when a canoe shot round a bend in a small bayou
+just ahead of them, and a wild-looking man, who had been paddling it,
+checked his frail craft. His unkempt whiskers covered him almost to his
+waist, and his clothes were ragged to a degree. But none of them thought
+of this as the swamp dweller so unexpectedly came into view.
+
+"Is this the Black Bayou?" they cried almost in chorus.
+
+The other nodded and stared wildly and half in alarm at the
+strange-looking craft that confronted him.
+
+"_Oui!_ Thees Black Bayou," he rejoined in soft, broken accents; "what
+you want, eh?"
+
+"Did you ever hear tell of the _Belle of New Orleans?_" asked Ben, in a
+voice that shook with suppressed excitement.
+
+To his astonishment the Acadian--for the weird figure in the boat was one
+of those strange dwellers of the cypress swamps--burst into a loud laugh.
+
+"Oh ho! Oh ho!" he cackled; "what you want wid zee _Belle of New
+Orleans_, eh? What you want weez her?"
+
+Ben hesitated, and before he could reply the other burst into another
+weird cackling laugh, and held up a small object.
+
+"You want zee pearl, zee gold, hey? Zey all gone! See, I have one. Zee
+men who come here two day ago give it me for help zem. Adieu!"
+
+Before anybody on the _Sea Eagle_ could utter a word the fellow gave a
+deft stroke of his paddle and his canoe shot off into the trackless
+paths of the swamps.
+
+"Well, what under the sun!" burst out Frank, while Pudge weakly
+ejaculated:
+
+"Centipedes and spongecakes!"
+
+"It's all clear enough," exclaimed Ben bitterly. "Those ruffians got
+ahead of us. That 'Cadian took them to the scene of the wreck and
+they've rifled it."
+
+"That was undoubtedly a black pearl he held up," said Dr. Perkins in a
+faint voice. "I suppose they gave him that for guiding them here."
+
+The sudden shriek of a high-crested kingfisher made them look up
+suddenly. The bird was darting from tree to tree on an island at a
+little distance. Suddenly something that lay at the foot of a tree
+caught Ben's sharp eyes.
+
+"What's that? That glittering thing yonder?" he exclaimed, pointing.
+
+"Easy enough to see," said Dr. Perkins, starting up the _Sea Eagle_ for
+the little island.
+
+"It's a diving helmet!" cried Frank as they drew closer to the object,
+"just look, the rascals must have left it there after they got the
+treasure out of the sunken wreck. I guess they thought that as they were
+so rich they need not bother with it."
+
+They landed on the island as disconsolate and downcast a band of
+treasure hunters as ever set foot on the site of a treasure trove.
+Abundant evidences of a camp were all about them. The ashes of a fire,
+and scraps of food and paper. One of these caught Frank's attention. It
+was a fragment of newspaper, and what had challenged Frank's notice was
+that a band of red ink had been drawn around some printing on it. Frank
+read the marked portion with a somewhat vague curiosity. For the moment
+he did not realize what an important clew he had stumbled upon. Then it
+rushed upon him with full force.
+
+Ben and the others were on the shore of the island pointing down into
+the muddy waters of the bayou.
+
+The earth was trampled in the vicinity, and showed plainly that the
+miscreants who had stolen the treasure had carried on their operations
+from that point of the bank.
+
+"Down thar somewhar' lies the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_," said
+Ben, shaking his head dolefully, and pointing into the black current;
+"but it ain't going to do us no good, mates. It ain't going to do us no
+good; them sea skunks has got ahead of us for fair."
+
+It was at this point that Frank's shout interrupted them.
+
+"What is it?" cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+"This paper. Come here. I think it's a clew to where they have gone."
+
+They crowded about him while Frank read out from the marked paper.
+
+"'The new South American Commerce Company's steamer _Buenos Aires_ sails
+to-morrow for the latter port. She is a fast, capable craft and will
+make a direct run to the Argentine. The inauguration of this service is
+a distinct addition to the commercial importance of New Orleans and
+establishes new trade relations with South America.'"
+
+"Very pretty," said Ben; "but what does it prove?"
+
+"Yes, I don't see much of a clew in that," put in Harry.
+
+But Frank raised his hand to command silence.
+
+"Listen a minute," he said. "Of course, I may be altogether wrong, but
+it seems to me that the reason this paragraph is marked is because those
+fellows meant to sail on this very boat."
+
+Ben brought his hand down on his knee with a resounding whack.
+
+"By hookey, lad!" he roared; "that's reason. That's solid sense and
+reason."
+
+"What is the date of that paper?" asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Luckily the paragraph was torn off from the top of the page," said
+Frank, "and the date of the issue is legible. It is dated yesterday."
+
+"Then the _Buenos Aires_ sailed this morning?"
+
+"Yes; that's the way it looks."
+
+"And while we are wasting time here she is heading down the river for
+the open sea," groaned Harry.
+
+"Can't we wireless to New Orleans and find out?" asked Pudge.
+
+"That's a mighty good idea, Pudge," said his father, "but the set we
+have on the _Sea Eagle_ wouldn't carry as far as that."
+
+"Then let's get on board again and fly back as quickly as possible. We
+are only wasting time here," said Frank.
+
+His suggestion was quickly acted upon, and the voyagers reëmbarked. They
+were a very different party from the pleasantly excited expedition that
+had set out that morning so full of hope and enterprise. Frank alone
+kept up his spirits. He sat constantly at the wireless as they winged
+their way back to New Orleans, incessantly trying to get into
+communication.
+
+At last he caught the operator of the Harbor Master's office. Instantly
+he flashed his query:
+
+"Did _Buenos Aires_ sail this a. m.?"
+
+"Yes. Ship sailed early to-day."
+
+"Where will she be now?"
+
+"About off Fort Jackson, near the mouth of the river," came the reply.
+"She has wireless, but it is out of order, so that I can't tell you
+exactly where she is right now."
+
+"Thanks!" flashed Frank and disconnected.
+
+He quickly communicated his tidings, and immediately a hasty, excited
+consultation followed. The result of it was that Dr. Perkins decided to
+ground the _Sea Eagle_ in Algiers. This done, Ben would swear out a
+warrant before the most available justice, and then, if they could find
+a deputy nervy enough to make the trip, he was to be taken on board the
+_Sea Eagle_ and the _Buenos Aires_ overtaken before she got beyond the
+jurisdiction of the State.
+
+But after landing in Algiers these plans were changed. It was decided
+instead to swear out a federal warrant, as there was grave danger of the
+ship getting out of the State's power before they could overtake her. On
+the extraordinary circumstances being related to him, the U. S.
+Commissioner at New Orleans readily granted the warrant for the arrest
+of all three of the rascals. It now remained only to find a Deputy U. S.
+Marshal courageous enough to make the trip through the air.
+
+The only one available seemed a bit doubtful.
+
+"A trip in an aëroplane!" he said. "I've never taken such a journey and
+I'm scared of the blessed things. You see, I've got a wife and family,
+and----"
+
+"Don't be afraid. There's really no danger, and we'll be over water most
+of the way," urged Dr. Perkins.
+
+The deputy seemed to come to a sudden conclusion. His eyes snapped and
+his lips tightened.
+
+"All right, I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "Wait till I 'phone
+the missus and I'm your man. Those rascals played you a mean trick, and
+I'd like to see you win out."
+
+The hearts of the adventurers gave a bound of hope. There was a chance
+of seeing justice come into its own, after all.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+The _Buenos Aires_, a fine ship of five thousand or more tons, dropped
+rapidly down the river. She had few cabin passengers, and of these only
+three were on deck. The remainder were in their cabins putting their
+belongings to rights.
+
+These three men were the elder Daniels, his loutish son and Duval. But
+they all wore smart new clothes, and Duval had shaved off his mustache.
+As for the two Daniels, it is an example of what clothes can do to say
+that they looked more like prosperous, rather countryfied commission
+dealers than rugged fishermen from Maine.
+
+"Let's have a look at them pearls again," Daniels was saying, after he
+had given a cautious glance about him to make sure they were not
+observed.
+
+Duval reached into his pocket and drew out a canvas bag. From it he
+poured out a number of black, lustrous objects, catching them in a
+cupped hand.
+
+"Twenty of the beauties," he exclaimed; "twenty black pearls--the rarest
+gems that come out of the ocean."
+
+"What are they worth again?" asked the elder Daniels, licking his lips
+anticipatively.
+
+"Thirty thousand dollars at the least."
+
+"Jiminy! Hold me, some one!" sputtered Zeb.
+
+"And that, counting the gold dust in the cabin, makes a fortune of close
+upon seventy-five thousand dollars we got out of that old hulk, don't
+it?"
+
+"That's right," answered Duval; "you fellows did a good day's work for
+yourselves when you knocked me on the head in that hut."
+
+"Waal, I should say so. Let's go below and look at that gold again. I
+kin hardly keep my fingers frum touching it. We're rich, boys, we're
+rich!"
+
+The three worthies disappeared below after Duval had carefully replaced
+the black pearls in their bag. It was some hours later when they came up
+again and the ship was passing the Port Ead's light.
+
+"We're safe now," exclaimed Duval in a low tone; "even if they do
+discover the trick we've put up on em, they could never catch us now. In
+another two hours we'll be out on the gulf and by to-morrow we'll be out
+of reach of any one in Yankeeland."
+
+"Hulloo, what's up astern?" asked Zeb suddenly. "What are they all
+pointing at?"
+
+"Pointing at? What do you mean?" demanded Duval, suspicious as are most
+guilty consciences of anything unusual.
+
+"Something in the sky. Hark! They are shouting!"
+
+"_Something in the sky!_"
+
+Duval's face went white. His knees shook. By a flash of guilty intuition
+he had guessed what that something was, even if the next minute a shout
+had not split the air.
+
+"An aëroplane! It's an aëroplane!"
+
+Duval's knees quivered under him. He trembled like a man with the palsy.
+Old Daniels came up to him hastily.
+
+"Duval, they've sighted one of them airyoplanes--you don't think----"
+
+"No, I don't _think_. I know," choked out Duval, "they are after us.
+Hark!"
+
+From the distance came the sound of shots high up in the air. In reply
+to the signal--for such it was--the _Buenos Aires'_ whistle emitted three
+long, mournful toots. Her engines began to slow down. As Duval felt the
+steamer's speed check he dashed below to his cabin. As for Daniels, he
+stood rooted to the spot, his lips moving, but no speech coming from
+them. Zeb was nowhere to be seen.
+
+Up on the _Buenos Aires'_ lofty flying bridge her officers, in the
+meantime, had been almost equally excited. They had seen the aëroplane
+some time before; but as nowadays such craft are a fairly common sight,
+they had not paid overmuch attention to it. It was not till the unusual
+size of the craft was revealed that they scrutinized it closely.
+
+Then, as the big winged man-bird swung above the steamer's masts, had
+come the quick six pistol shots. An imperative signal, rightly
+interpreted "Stop!"
+
+The whistle had replied and the vessel's way been checked as the
+jangling signals sounded in the engine-room, and "Slow down" flashed up
+on the telegraph.
+
+"What do you want?" hailed the captain through a megaphone, as the _Sea
+Eagle_--for of course our readers have guessed the identity of the craft
+of the air--swung above him.
+
+"We want to board you with a United States warrant!" came the startling
+reply from midair.
+
+"A warrant! For some of my passengers?"
+
+"Yes; for three men whom we have reason to believe booked passage as
+Daniel Maine and son and another one who calls himself Francis Le
+Blanc."
+
+"I have three such men on board and recognize the authority of the
+United States. How will you board me?"
+
+"We'll come alongside."
+
+The captain looked as if he didn't understand how this was going to be
+done, but gave orders to stop the ship, drop anchor and lower the
+gangway. This was done, and the _Sea Eagle_ dropped to the water
+alongside with perfect precision. In the meantime, the wildest
+excitement reigned on board. Rumors flew thick and fast as to the errand
+of the men from the air.
+
+Lest it should be wondered how Dr. Perkins and his companions knew the
+names under which the three rascals had sailed, we had better clear this
+matter up. Before embarking in the _Sea Eagle_ in pursuit of the _Buenos
+Aires_, a passenger list had been obtained from the offices of the
+steamship company. It will be recalled that Francis Le Blanc was the
+alias, or false name, which Duval had used when in the employ of Mr.
+Sterrett on the yacht _Wanderer_. This gave them a clew, and when they
+came across the names Daniel Maine and son, booked for an adjoining
+cabin, there remained small doubt that those names concealed the two
+Daniels.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was soon made fast, and Marshal Howell, followed by Dr.
+Perkins and the two Boy Aviators, sprang up the gangway. The others they
+had been compelled to leave behind, as, with the three prisoners to
+carry back, the _Sea Eagle_ would have been overcrowded.
+
+As they reached the top of the gangway Captain Stow and his officers
+advanced to meet them.
+
+"To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?" asked the seaman.
+
+The marshal showed his authority and his warrant.
+
+"We don't wish to detain you longer than necessary, captain," he said,
+"so will you have us shown to their cabins?"
+
+The captain himself led the way below, and conducted them down a
+corridor to the stern of the ship. As they reached the end of the
+passage a door was thrust suddenly open and a bullet whizzed past
+Frank's head. At the same instant Zeb's figure appeared in the doorway.
+
+But before he could fire another shot the marshal had wrested the pistol
+from him and burst into the cabin. Frank was close behind him. At a port
+hole was Duval; he had something in his hand and was just about to hurl
+it out of the port hole, when Frank, in one bound, was at his side and
+had his arm captive. With a snarl like a wounded wild beast Duval turned
+on him, whipping out a knife as he did so. But before any harm could be
+done, Dr. Perkins seized and disarmed him.
+
+It was speedily found that the bag which Frank had saved was the one
+containing the black pearls which Duval, in his extremity, had
+determined to throw away rather than let any one else gain their
+possession. The Marshal slipped the handcuffs on Zeb and Duval, who
+submitted sullenly to arrest. It was not till then that their thoughts
+turned to the elder Daniels. He was not in his cabin, and search of the
+ship failed to reveal him. The mystery was soon to be explained,
+however.
+
+A boat with a colored oarsman had been lying alongside the steamer
+waiting to take off the pilot. In the confusion old Daniels had opened
+the bag of gold dust, selected a packet, and, dropping into the boat,
+told the negro to row him ashore to secure help for the officers. The
+negro naturally supposed that he was acting under proper instructions,
+and put the old fisherman ashore. He was never heard of again.
+
+Zeb and Duval sullenly refused to utter a word, but ultimately, after
+their return to New Orleans, Frank had an interview with Duval in his
+prison cell, in which he made a clean breast of everything. From
+Bayhaven they had hastened south by fast trains, stopping on the way to
+buy diving dress. The Acadian whom the boys had encountered in the
+swamps had guided them to the scene of the wreck, receiving one black
+pearl as his reward.
+
+Of the voyage back from the _Buenos Aires_ with the two prisoners not
+much can be said. It was made at a good rate of speed, and both Duval
+and Zeb were docile. Indeed, there was no use in their being otherwise.
+On account of his youth and the pleadings of Dr. Perkins and the boys,
+Zeb got a light sentence in a reformatory institution, and it is hoped
+that he will prove a far better character when he gets out. Duval was
+more severely dealt with, but even he got off more lightly than he
+deserved, thanks to the clemency of the people he had wronged.
+
+And so ends the story of the Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune in the
+most wonderful aëroplane constructed up to date. But no doubt, in the
+rapid march of events, even the _Sea Eagle_ will soon be surpassed.
+Already, while this book goes to press, plans are being made by no less
+than four separate aviators to dare the terrors of a transatlantic
+passage. Whether they will succeed or not is in the lap of the future,
+but the author is certain that some day flights across "The Pond" at
+seventy or eighty miles an hour will be so common as to attract but
+small attention.
+
+Some of my readers doubtless wish to know how Ben disposed of his
+fortune. Well, part of it he wisely invested in real estate, and the
+rest he is thinking of putting into the company Dr. Perkins has formed
+to manufacture _Sea Eagles_. Mr. Sterrett is a member of the company,
+and so are the Boy Aviators. Naturally Ben's keen wish to have them
+share some of his good fortune was refused, for, as we know, the Boy
+Aviators' adventures in the past had netted them a good share of this
+world's goods. Billy Barnes is publicity agent at a good salary for the
+_Sea Eagle_ Company, Ltd., and the work just suits his tastes. As for
+Pudge, he is as hard a worker as anybody at the plant on Brig Island,
+learning the business "from the bottom up."
+
+And so, wishing them well in their future undertakings, we will here
+take leave for the present of our friends, until we hear of them again
+in the next volume, entitled "The Boy Aviators with the Air Raiders."
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+The Boy Aviators in Nicaragua
+
+Or, Leagued With Insurgents
+
+  The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the
+  inauguration of a new era in boys' books--the "wonders of modern
+  science" epoch. Frank and Harry Chester, the Boy Aviators, are the
+  heroes of this exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and
+  land in the turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers
+  with their $10,000 prize aeroplane, the Golden Eagle, rescue a chum
+  from death in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost
+  treasure valley of the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost
+  lose their own lives in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have
+  many other exciting experiences, including being blown far out to
+  sea in their air-skimmer in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to
+  divulge the part that wireless plays in rescuing them from their
+  predicament. In a brand new field of fiction for boys the Chester
+  brothers and their aeroplane seem destined to fill a top-notch
+  place. These books are technically correct, wholesomely thrilling
+  and geared up to third speed.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+Or, Working With Wireless
+
+  In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the
+  Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting
+  chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting
+  experiences on Uncle Sam's service in a novel field. One must read
+  this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get
+  an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest
+  inventions of modern times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy.
+  While gripping and holding the reader's breathless attention from
+  the opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the
+  same time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have
+  already made friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their "bunch"
+  know, there are few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they
+  may seem at first blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot
+  overcome with flying colors. A clean-cut, real boys' book of high
+  voltage.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail
+
+In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the
+American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old friends,
+the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa--the Dark
+Continent--the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, their
+voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious forests and
+unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, for the first
+time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York millionaire, who proved
+later such an implacable enemy of the boys. The story of his defeated
+schemes, of the astonishing things the boys discovered in the Mountains
+of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of George Desmond, the emulator of
+Stanley, the adventure of the Flying Men and the discovery of the
+Arabian Ivory cache,--this is not the place to speak. It would be
+spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to reveal the outcome of all these
+episodes here. It may be said, however, without "giving away" any of the
+thrilling chapters of this narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the
+author, is in it in his best vein, and from his personal experiences in
+Africa has been able to supply a striking background for the adventures
+of his young heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: "Here is
+adventure in good measure, pressed down and running over."
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST
+
+Or, The Golden Galleon
+
+Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden
+treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold
+that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is
+well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to
+the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the development
+of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure hunting in the
+region of the Gulf Stream and the Sargasso Sea. An aeroplane fitted with
+efficient pontoons--enabling her to skim the water successfully--has long
+been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys seem to have solved the
+problem. The Sargasso that strange drifting ocean within an ocean,
+holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of ages, in its relentless
+grip, has been the subject of many books of adventure and mystery, but
+in none has the secret of the ever shifting mass of treacherous currents
+been penetrated as it has in the BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther
+Barr, whom it seemed the boys had shaken off, is still on their trail,
+in this absorbing book and with a dirigible balloon, essays to beat them
+out in their search for the Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man--and
+woman and girl--who has ever felt the stirring summons of adventure in
+their souls, had better get hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be
+read and re-read till it falls to rags.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+Or, The Rival Aeroplane
+
+The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor--an attempt to capture a
+newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these lines
+are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast by one
+of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, the
+boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make the
+dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals for the
+rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to circumvent the
+lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. In this they stop
+short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and resources of the Boy
+Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the adventures encountered in
+their cross-country flight, the boys fall in with a band of rollicking
+cowboys--who momentarily threaten serious trouble--are attacked by
+Indians, strike the most remarkable town of the desert--the "dry" town of
+"Gow Wells," encounter a sandstorm which blows them into strange lands
+far to the south of their course, and meet with several amusing mishaps
+beside. A thoroughly readable book. The sort to take out behind the barn
+on the sunny side of the haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples
+and your heels kicking the air, pass happy hours with Captain Lawton's
+young heroes.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH
+
+Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic
+
+If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar expedition
+in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate the Antarctic
+regions--hitherto only attained by a few daring explorers--you would feel
+interested, wouldn't you? Well, in Captain Lawton's latest book,
+concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only read absorbing adventure
+in the regions south of the eightieth parallel, but absorb much useful
+information as well. Captain Lawton introduces--besides the original
+characters of the heroes--a new creation in the person of Professor
+Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker for polar insects. The professor's
+adventures in his quest are the cause of much merriment, and lead once
+or twice to serious predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident
+and peril from cover to cover--relieved with laughable mishaps to the
+professor--it is difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent
+reader of it wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day,
+saying: "The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack
+of the condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the--but what's the
+use? The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than
+Captain Lawton's previous efforts, and that's saying a good deal. The
+aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the
+least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume."
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY INVENTORS SERIES
+
+Stories of Skill and Ingenuity
+
+By RICHARD BONNER
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.
+
+  Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of
+  investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+  creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+  mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because
+  they always "work" when put to the test.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN.
+
+  A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+  final success--this is the history of many an invention; a history in
+  which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence
+  figure. This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring
+  Boy Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and
+  which demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT.
+
+  As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+  triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately
+  valuable, and the stage for their proving and testing is again the
+  water. On the surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious
+  fun, and the story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge
+  the reader's deepest attention.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BORDER BOYS SERIES
+
+Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series
+
+By FREMONT B. DEERING.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL.
+
+  What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is the
+  problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete,
+  face in this exciting tale.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER.
+
+  Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean
+  River and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in
+  running the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient
+  splendors of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic
+  action than the Border of the New.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS.
+
+  As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever
+  before--so books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid
+  action and accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the
+  Mexican border.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.
+
+  The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in
+  their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the
+  experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and
+  more resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in
+  connection with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES
+
+LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE
+
+By DEXTER J. FORRESTER.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS.
+
+  How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the
+  right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for
+  lively boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS.
+
+  A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken
+  Spanish galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest
+  at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot
+  and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings strange
+  adventures into the lives of the Bungalow Boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.
+
+  The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the
+  clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know
+  too much. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical
+  situation is also an exciting incident of this book.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES.
+
+  The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes
+  and a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere
+  with the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and
+  adventure to it.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+Tales of the New Navy
+
+By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+Author of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES."
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE.
+
+  Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+  reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+  warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+  Sam's sailors.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER.
+
+  In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is
+  tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the
+  South American coast.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.
+
+  To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has
+  special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+  action are fascinating.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.
+
+  Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc.
+  Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however,
+  although they make daring and notable flights in the name of the
+  Government; nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of
+  their old "enemies," who are also airmen.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+Twentieth Century Athletic Stories
+
+By MATHEW M. COLTON.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION.
+
+  How Frank's summer experience with his boy friends make him into a
+  sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating, and baseball
+  contests, and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this
+  splendid story.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS.
+
+  We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the
+  student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+  unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that
+  bears his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival
+  school teams are expertly described.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM.
+
+  The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+  stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the
+  "Wee One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER.
+
+  With the same persistent determination that won him success in
+  swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the
+  art of "drop kicking," and the Queen's football team profits
+  thereby.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR RANGERS SERIES
+
+HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIES
+
+By MARVIN WEST.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS' LOST MINE.
+
+  This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor
+  car in the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly
+  impossible "stunts," and yet everything happens "in the nick of
+  time."
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS.
+
+  Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure
+  make exciting times for the Motor Rangers--yet there is a strong
+  flavor of fun and freedom, with a typical Western mountaineer for
+  spice.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict.
+
+  The strange adventures of the sturdy craft "Nomad" and the stranger
+  experiences of the Rangers themselves with Morello's schooner and a
+  mysterious derelict form the basis of this well-spun yarn of the
+  sea.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS' CLOUD CRUISER.
+
+  From the "Nomad" to the "Discoverer," from the sea to the sky, the
+  scene changes in which the Motor Rangers figure. They have
+  experiences "that never were on land or sea," in heat and cold and
+  storm, over mountain peak and lost city, with savages and reptiles;
+  their ship of the air is attacked by huge birds of the air; they
+  survive explosion and earthquake; they even live to tell the tale!
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL AVIATORS SERIES
+
+Clean Aviation Stories
+
+By MARGARET BURNHAM.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS AND THE PHANTOM AIRSHIP.
+
+  Roy Prescott was fortunate in having a sister so clever and devoted
+  to him and his interests that they could share work and play with
+  mutual pleasure and to mutual advantage. This proved especially true
+  in relation to the manufacture and manipulation of their aeroplane,
+  and Peggy won well deserved fame for her skill and good sense as an
+  aviator. There were many stumbling-blocks in their terrestrial path
+  but they soared above them all to ultimate success.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS ON GOLDEN WINGS.
+
+  That there is a peculiar fascination about aviation that wins and
+  holds girl enthusiasts as well as boys is proved by this tale. On
+  golden wings the girl aviators rose for many an exciting flight, and
+  met strange and unexpected experiences.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS' SKY CRUISE.
+
+  To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure. How much
+  more perilous an adventure a "sky cruise" might be is suggested by
+  the title and proved by the story itself.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS' MOTOR BUTTERFLY.
+
+  The delicacy of flight suggested by the word "butterfly," the
+  mechanical power implied by "motor," the ability to, control assured
+  in the title "aviator," all combined with the personality and
+  enthusiasm of girls themselves, make this story one for any girl or
+  other reader "to go crazy over."
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR MAIDS SERIES
+
+Wholesome Stories of Adventure
+
+By KATHERINE STOKES.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS' SCHOOL DAYS.
+
+  Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic
+  girl to be successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car,
+  as she did her class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time
+  did they have all together. The road over which she ran her red
+  machine had many an unexpected turning,--now it led her into peculiar
+  danger; now into contact with strange travelers; and again into
+  experiences by fire and water. But, best of all, "The Comet" never
+  failed its brave girl owner.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE.
+
+  Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times, for these
+  were companionable girls who looked upon the world as a vastly
+  interesting place full of unique adventures--and so, of course, they
+  found them.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
+
+  It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully
+  entertaining to see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is that
+  privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join the Motor
+  Maids in their first 'cross-country run.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER.
+
+  South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor could their
+  education by travel have been more wisely begun. But now a speaking
+  acquaintance with their own country enriched their anticipation of
+  an introduction to the British Isles. How they made their polite
+  American bow and how they were received on the other side is a tale
+  of interest and inspiration.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
+
+***** This file should be named 37175-8.txt or 37175-8.zip *****
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+<head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+    <meta content="The Boy Aviators’ Flight for a Fortune" name="DC.Title"/>
+    <meta content="Wilbur Lawton" name="DC.Creator"/>
+    <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/>
+    <meta content="1912" name="DC.Created"/>
+    <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.18) generated Aug 22, 2011 10:47 PM" />
+    <title>The Boy Aviators’ Flight for a Fortune</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
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+                                 font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;}
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+                                 font-size:0.9em; margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em;}
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+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn
+
+Release Date: August 23, 2011 [EBook #37175]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i001' id='i001'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="FRANK WAS LIFTED BY MAIN FORCE AND PLACED IN IT.—Page 228." title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>FRANK WAS LIFTED BY MAIN FORCE AND PLACED IN IT.—<em>Page 228.</em></span>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;'>THE BOY AVIATORS’</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;'>FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>BY</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS,”</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“DREADNOUGHT BOYS,” ETC.</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'><em>ILLUSTRATED BY</em></span></p>
+<p><em>CHARLES L. WRENN</em></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>NEW YORK</span></p>
+<p>HURST &amp; COMPANY</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>PUBLISHERS</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Copyright, 1912,</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p>
+</div>
+<table class='c' summary='table of contents'>
+<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>On Brig Island</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>5</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Wireless</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>22</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Night Alarm</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>36</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Cut Adrift</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>45</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Adventures on the Hulk</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Meets an Old Friend</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Puzzling Problem</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>80</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Derelict Destroyer</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>89</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Flight of the “Sea Eagle”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“C. Q. D.!”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>112</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Good Luck!”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>121</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Through the Night</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>129</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Twentieth-Century Rescue</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>137</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Ben’s Plan Stolen</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>148</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>What Happened Ashore</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>158</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Off on the “Air Route”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>170</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Aerial Ambulance</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>180</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Errand of Mercy</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>189</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Plumbo Found Wanting</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>199</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Frank’s Battle</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>209</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Rascally Trick</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>219</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Reunited!</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>230</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Off Once More</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>237</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Struggle for Life</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>246</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Race to Cloudland</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>253</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Boy Aviators’ Pluck</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXVI'>264</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Captured by Aeroplane</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXVII'>275</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<h1>The Boy Aviators’ Flight for a Fortune</h1>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I.—ON BRIG ISLAND.</h2>
+<p>
+The sharp bow of Zenas Daniels’ green and
+red dory grazed the yellow beach on the west
+shore of Brig Island, a wooded patch of land
+lying about a mile off the Maine Shore in the
+vicinity of Casco Bay. His son Zeb, a lumbering,
+uncouth-looking lad of about eighteen, with
+a pronounced squint, leaped from the craft as it
+was beached, and seized hold of the frayed
+painter preparatory to dragging her farther up
+the beach.
+</p>
+<p>
+In the meantime Zenas himself, brown and
+hatchetlike of face, and lean of figure—with a
+tuft of gray whisker on his sharp chin, like an
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span>
+old-fashioned knocker on a mahogany door—gathered
+up a pile of lobster pots from the stern
+of the dory and shouldered them. A few lay
+loose, and those he flung out on the beach.
+</p>
+<p>
+These last Zeb gathered up, and as his father
+stepped out of the dory the pair began trudging
+up the steeply sloping beach, toward the woods
+which rimmed the islet almost to the water’s
+edge. All this, seemingly, in defiance of a staring
+sign which faced them, for on it was printed
+in letters visible quite a distance off:
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p>PRIVATE PROPERTY.</p>
+<p>NO TRESPASSING!</p>
+</div>
+<p>
+Instead, however, of checking the fisherman,
+it caused old Zenas to break into a harsh laugh
+as his deep-set, wrinkle-surrounded eyes dwelt
+for an instant on the inscription. His jaw
+seemed to set with a snap, and his thin lips
+formed a narrow, hairlike line as a second later
+he saw something else. This was a stout wire
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span>
+fence, clearly of recent construction, which extended
+along the edge of the woods. Apparently
+it must have encircled the island, for it ran as
+far as eye could see in either direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, I’ll be dummed-gosh dummed!”
+snorted Zenas, his thin nostrils dilating angrily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Put up a fence now, have they?” he continued.
+“Waal, if thet ain’t ther beatingest! A
+passel of city kids ter come hyar and think they
+kin run things in Casco Bay!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon thet fence ain’t goin’ ter hinder us
+powerful much, dad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, I swan <em>not</em>. Come on, Zeb, look lively
+with them pots; we’ve got ter git across ther
+island an’ back ez slippy ez we kin.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But as father and son resumed their journey,
+the thick brush suddenly parted and down a narrow
+path a boyish figure came suddenly into
+view. The newcomer was a tall, muscular
+youth, with a face tanned to a healthy brown by
+constant outdoor life. His clean-cut figure and
+frank, open countenance formed a striking contrast
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span>
+to Zenas’ crabbed features and the shifty
+look of his son.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Where do you intend going?” demanded the
+boy, as he halted a few paces on the opposite
+side of the fence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You know waal enough, Frank Chester, or
+whatever yer name is,” growled out Zenas,
+“we’re goin’ across ther Island ter stow our
+lobster pots, just as we’ve bin a-doin’ fer years.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m very sorry. I don’t want to seem unfair,
+but, as I explained to you the other day,
+this island is now private property. It was rented
+from Mr. Dunning of Portland on the express
+condition that we were not to be interfered
+with.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Land o’ Goshen! So ye think yer kin come
+hyar an’ run things ter suit yerselves, do yer?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We rented the island for that purpose. As
+I said before, we are all very sorry if it interferes
+with your convenience; but there’s Woody
+Island half a mile below, and closer in to Motthaven,
+too, why won’t that suit you as well?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“’Cos it won’t. Thet’s why. Brig Island’s bin
+here a sight longer than you er I, and it’s goin’
+ter stay hyar arter we’re gone, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t quite see what that has to do with it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, I do. We ain’t used ter bein’ dictated
+to by a passel of kids. I’ve bin usin’ this island
+fer ten years or more. It suits me first rate, and
+I propose ter go on using it, and ther ain’t no
+kids kin stop me,” spoke Zenas stubbornly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, we shan’t keep you from it for more
+than a few weeks at most—at least I hope so,”
+rejoined Frank, with perfect good nature, “after
+that, although we have leased it for a year, we
+shall be glad to have you use it in any way you
+like.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I want ter use it right now, I tell yer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, you can’t!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank’s control of himself was beginning to
+ooze away in the face of such mule-like obstinacy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Kain’t, eh? We’ll see. You’re alone on the
+island ter-day, I seen ther other kids go ashore
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span>
+this mornin’. Come on, Zeb, climb over thet
+fence.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thet’s right, dad,” applauded Zeb, “ef he
+gives yer any sass jes’ hit him a clip in ther jaw.
+Reckon that ’ull stop him fer a while.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As his son spoke Zenas made as if to lay his
+hand on the top wire of the fence preparatory
+to scaling it. Frank Chester stepped hastily forward.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t try to climb that fence!” he warned.
+His tone was so earnest that, involuntarily, Zenas
+checked himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why not?” he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Because if you do you are going to get hurt.
+I give you fair warning.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Shucks! ez if a kid could bother me. Come
+on, Zeb.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he called to his son, Zenas clapped his hand
+on the top wire. Zeb, with a contemptuous grimace
+at Frank, did the same.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll show yer——” Zeb was beginning,
+when a singular thing happened.
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i002' id='i002'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-010.jpg" alt="“OUCH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF TIME HIT US!”" title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>“OUCH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF TIME HIT US!”</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span></div>
+<p>
+Zenas, with a yell, sprang into the air and,
+tripping as he came down, alighted in a sprawling
+heap among the freshly-tarred lobster pots.
+His gray goatee wagged savagely as he lay there
+impotently clenching his fists, alternating this
+performance by vigorously rubbing his elbows.
+In the meantime his son, giving vent to a no less
+piercing cry, had executed a backward bound
+from the fence with as much velocity as if he
+had been a rubber ball.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ouch! What in ther name of time hit us!”
+he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dear land o’ Goshen! What was thet?”
+shouted his parent.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank had some difficulty in steadying his
+voice to reply. The sight of the two lately militant
+figures sprawling there on the beach was
+too much for his gravity.
+</p>
+<p>
+“<em>That</em>,” he managed to gasp out at length,
+“that was a <em>mild</em> current of electricity running
+through those wires. You recollect I warned you
+not to touch them.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“You—you—you young villain!” roared Zenas,
+springing to his feet with great agility for
+one of his years, “I’ll have ther law on yer!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Consarn you, yes!” echoed Zeb, “assault and
+battery!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, not batteries—a dynamo,” Frank could
+not resist saying. “If you think of going to law
+over it,” he added, more seriously, “please recollect
+that I warned you not to touch those wires.
+Furthermore, you were defiantly trespassing on
+private property, although you could see that
+sign from quite a distance out on the water.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The elder Daniels’ face was a study at this.
+But his son continued to bellow angrily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You may hev injured dad and me fer life!”
+he shouted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, no; on the contrary, a mild shock of electricity
+is a fine thing for the system. But,” and
+Frank smiled, “don’t take an overdose.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, y’er laughin’ at us, are yer? Waal, maybe
+ther laugh ’ull be on the other side of yer
+face nex’ time we meet.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+All this time the elder Daniels had remained
+silent, gathering up his scattered lobster pots.
+Evidently he did not meditate a second assault
+on the fence. Now he turned the overboiling
+vials of his wrath on his son.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pick up them pots, consarn ye!” he rumbled
+throatily, “and git out ’er this.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb obeyed, and then, with what dignity they
+could muster, the two shuffled back down the
+beach to their dory. Then they shoved off and
+began pulling for Woody Island. Frank Chester
+watched them in silence. But they did not
+look his way once during the swift row. When
+they landed on the distant islet, he saw Zeb turn
+and shake his fist in the direction of Brig Island
+with vicious emphasis. The elder fisherman,
+however, simply strode off along the beach of
+the adjacent island without turning.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, the fence certainly served its purpose,”
+said Frank to himself, as he turned away; “it
+proved as effectual as it did that night we used
+the same sort of contrivance to put to rout the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span>
+rascals who wanted to wreck the old Golden
+Eagle. Sorry I had to give those fellows such a
+severe lesson, though. They liked us little
+enough before. They’ll have still less use for us
+now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He was about to retrace his steps up the path
+when his attention was arrested by a sudden
+sound—the sharp “put-put-put!” of a motor boat.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll bet that’s Harry, Billy and Pudge coming
+now!” he exclaimed. “I’ll go round to the
+hulk and meet them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So saying, he started off along the beach. In
+a few seconds he rounded a wooded promontory
+and passed out of sight. Right here, perhaps, is
+a good place to give those readers who have not
+already formed their acquaintance, some further
+idea of who Frank Chester and his companions
+are, and how the quartet came to be on Brig Island,
+off the coast of Maine, in the island-dotted
+Casco Bay region.
+</p>
+<p>
+The first volume of this series related the adventures
+of Frank and Harry Chester, two
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>
+bright, inventive New York lads of seventeen and
+sixteen, in the turbulent Central American Republic
+of Nicaragua. In this book was set down
+the part that their aëroplane, <em>The Golden Eagle</em>,
+played in the drama of revolution, and followed
+also the tempestuous career of their chum Billy
+Barnes, a young reporter whom they met in the
+tropics. Mr. Chester, a New York man of affairs,
+owned a plantation in Nicaragua, and the
+boys and their aëroplane were the means of saving
+this from the depredations of the revolutionaries.
+But in an electric storm in which she
+was driven out to sea the <em>Golden Eagle</em> was lost.
+By means of the wireless apparatus with which
+she was equipped, the lads, however, managed to
+communicate with a steamer which picked them
+up and saved their lives.
+</p>
+<p>
+In The Boy Aviators on Secret Service, the
+second volume of the Boy Aviators’ series, we
+find them in the mysterious region of the Everglades.
+Once again they demonstrated—this
+time for Uncle Sam—the almost limitless possibilities
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span>
+of the two greatest inventions of modern
+times—the aëroplane and wireless telegraphy.
+In this book we related how the secret
+explosive factory was located and put out of
+commission, and what dangers and difficulties
+surrounded the boys during the process.
+</p>
+<p>
+Not long after this a strange combination of
+circumstances resulted in the boys taking a voyage
+to Africa. In The Boy Aviators In Africa
+you may read how they discovered the ivory
+hoard in the Moon Mountains, and how the
+Arab slave trader, who had cause to fear them,
+made all sorts of trouble for them. The first
+aëroplane to soar above the trackless forests of
+the Dark Continent conveyed them safely out
+of their dilemmas, and indirectly was the cause
+of their being able to voyage back to America
+on a fine yacht.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys had figured on resting up after this,
+but the love of adventure that stirred in their
+blood, as well as their warm friendship for Billy
+Barnes, prompted them to take part in a cross-continent
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span>
+flight against great odds. The story of
+the contest, The Boy Aviators in Record Flight,
+related stirring incidents from coast to coast.
+Readers of that volume will readily summon to
+mind the ruse by which the lads escaped the cowboys
+and baffled some renegade Indians and,
+finally, their fearful battle in midair with the
+sand storm.
+</p>
+<p>
+The story of an old Spanish galleon enthralled
+in the deadly grip of the Sargasso Sea furnished
+the inspiration for the tale of the Boy Aviators’
+Treasure Quest. But they were not alone on
+their hunt for the long-lost treasure trove. Luther
+Barr, a bad old man who had caused them
+much trouble before, fitted out a rival expedition.
+High above the vast ocean of Sargasso
+weed the boys had to fight for their lives with
+a crew of desperate men in a powerful dirigible
+craft. How they won out, and through what
+other adventures they passed—including the surprising
+one of the “rat ship,”—you must read the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span>
+volume to discover, as we have not space to detail
+all that befell them on that voyage.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then came what was, in many respects, their
+queerest voyage of all—the flight above the Antarctic
+fields of eternal ice, in search of the goal
+of discoverers of half a dozen nationalities, the
+South Pole. The Boy Aviators’ Polar Dash was
+a volume full of swift action and enterprise.
+Many hardships were endured and dangers faced,
+but the boys did not flinch when duty required
+their best of them. They emerged from the
+frozen regions having achieved a signal triumph,
+but one which would not have been possible of
+accomplishment without their aëroplane.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having thus briefly sketched the previous careers
+of the Boy Aviators, we shall give a short
+account of how they came to be on Brig Island,
+and then press on with our story. About a
+month before the present story opens then, a
+scientific friend of Mr. Chester’s, Dr. Maxim
+Perkins, had called on the Boy Aviators’ father
+and requested the aid of the young aërial inventors
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span>
+in some problems that were bothering
+him. Dr. Perkins was already an aviator of
+some note, but his achievements had not found
+their way into the newspapers as, like most scientific
+men, he did not care for publicity in connection
+with his experiments.
+</p>
+<p>
+In common with the rest of the civilized world
+Dr. Perkins—horrified at a mid-ocean tragedy
+in which hundreds of lives were sacrificed—had
+set his wits to work to devise some means of
+life saving—in addition to the regular boat equipment—which
+might be easily carried by ocean
+liners. He was convinced that it would be feasible
+for vessels of that description to carry an
+auxiliary fleet of what he termed “dirigible-hydro-aëroplanes.”
+By this rather clumsy name
+he meant a combination of the hydroplane, dirigible
+and aëroplane. But although his ideas on
+the subject were clear enough in theory, he was
+rather hazy about the practical side of the matter,
+and this was the object of his call on Mr.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span>
+Chester—to ask the aid of the Boy Aviators in
+carrying out his experiments.
+</p>
+<p>
+To make a long story short, arrangements
+were finally completed by which the doctor had
+leased Brig Island, and had set up on it such
+sheds and appliances as would be needed by the
+boys in their work. These included a wireless,
+by means of which communication with the mainland
+might be kept up—via Portland—and also a
+unique piece of apparatus (if such it could be
+called) of which we shall learn in the next chapter.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys had now spent two busy weeks on
+the island, and the work that they had mapped
+out for themselves was so nearly completed that
+they had felt justified that morning in wirelessing
+Dr. Perkins to come and see how things
+were going on. As we have seen, their stay on
+the island had not been altogether tranquil. The
+spot had been used for years by the fishermen
+as a sort of stowage place for their apparatus,
+and also, sometimes, as a summer residence.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span>
+With the coming of the boys and their necessarily
+private work, all this had been changed,
+and the resentment of the fishermen had been
+bitter. Of all the complainers, Zenas and his
+son were the most aggressive, however, and
+had openly threatened to drive the boys off the
+island.
+</p>
+<p>
+To avoid being taken by surprise the lads had
+rigged up the electric fence, which device, as
+readers of The Boy Aviators on Secret Service
+will recall, had been used by them before with
+success to repel unwelcome visitors.
+</p>
+<p>
+Let us now rejoin Frank Chester as he goes
+to meet the approaching motor boat on which
+his brother Harry, Billy Barnes and Pudge Perkins,
+the doctor’s son, had visited the mainland
+for provisions and mail that morning.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II.—THE WIRELESS.</h2>
+<p>
+As Frank rounded the point, the waves almost
+lapping his feet as he edged along the rocky
+promontory, he came into full view of the
+adjunct to the little settlement which was mentioned
+in the preceding chapter. This was nothing
+more nor less than the hulk of what had once
+been a fair-sized schooner. But her masts had
+vanished, and on her decks nothing now rose
+above the bulwarks but a towering structure of
+sufficiently odd form to have set the wits of
+every man in Motthaven who had seen it at
+their keenest edge.
+</p>
+<p>
+This structure began about amidships, where
+it attained a height of some thirty feet. From
+thence its skeleton form sloped sharply down
+toward the stern of the dismantled hulk, much
+in the manner of the “Chute the Chutes” familiar to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span>
+most lads throughout the land from
+their having seen them at amusement resorts.
+The old schooner—formerly rejoicing in the
+name of <em>Betsy Jane</em>—had been picked up for a
+song in Portland by the Boy Aviators, who saw
+in it exactly what they needed for a bit of experimental
+apparatus. At their orders the inclined
+“slide” had been built, and when this was
+accomplished the craft had been towed into the
+cove, where it now lay anchored by a stout line,
+about 200 yards off shore.
+</p>
+<p>
+As Frank came into view of the black old hull,
+swinging on her mooring line on the turning tide,
+a “Hampton” motor boat came chugging round
+the <em>Betsy Jane’s</em> stern. In it were three lads.
+The one in the bow handling the wheel is already
+familiar to our readers, who will at once recognize
+the cherubic, smiling features of the spectacled
+Billy Barnes. In the stern, tending to the
+engine—a five horse power one of the make-and-break
+type—was Harry Chester, Frank’s younger
+brother, and standing amidships, waving
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span>
+cheerfully to Frank, was a youth best described
+as being “tubby” of build, with round rosy
+cheeks and a most good-natured expression of
+countenance.
+</p>
+<p>
+This last lad was Ulysses—otherwise “Pudge”
+Perkins, the son of the aërial scientist who had
+sent the lads on their strange mission.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Batter and butterflies!” he shouted, as the
+boat drew closer and he spied Frank, “how are
+you, Frank? Get lonely without your chums?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No; I rather enjoyed myself,” laughed back
+Frank, shouting his words across the water;
+“you see, while you were away I had some quiet,
+and a chance to work out a few problems.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mumps and mathematics!” sputtered Pudge
+amiably, “you don’t mean to say I worry you,
+Frank?”
+</p>
+<p>
+By this time the motor boat had approached
+close to her mooring, at which swung a small
+boat of the dory type. The motor boat was
+speedily made fast, and the boyish occupants
+tumbled into the small boat and Harry rapidly
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span>
+sculled them ashore. Before leaving the motor
+boat some sacks of supplies had been thrown in,
+and the small craft was so heavily laden that
+Pudge had to be sternly warned to keep still on
+peril of swamping it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dories and dingbats! as if my sylphlike form
+could bother this staunch craft! Yo-ho! my
+lads, yo-ho! pull for the shore and don’t bother
+about me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The beach was reached without catastrophe,
+and while Frank helped the others unload the
+supplies he told them of what had occurred during
+their absence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“After you left,” he said, “I got busy figuring
+on that plane problem. All at once I heard
+voices, and by listening I soon recognized them
+as Zenas Daniels and that precious son of his.
+As I knew what ugly customers they were I
+turned the current into the fence and sauntered
+down toward the shore. Sure enough it was
+Zenas and Zeb and they tried to rush the fence.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank then went on to tell of what had happened.
+Shouts of laughter greeted his narrative.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sugar and somersaults! But I’d have liked
+to see those chaps do a flip-flap,” chuckled the
+rotund Pudge, hugging himself in his joy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess Zenas must have learned that electricity
+is good for the rheumatiz,” laughed Billy
+Barnes gleefully; “I’d like to have had a picture
+of them when they hit the wire,” he added,
+swinging his inevitable camera at the end of its
+carrying straps.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It would have been worth while,” laughed
+Harry; “but come on, boys, let’s get this stuff up
+to the hut. Anything to eat, Frank? I’m hungry
+enough to swallow one of old Zenas’ lobster
+pots.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sandwiches and sauerkraut! So am I,”
+chimed in Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great Scott!” cried Billy Barnes, “as if we
+didn’t know that. If you told us you <em>weren’t</em>
+hungry it would be something new.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I don’t see where I’ve got anything on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span>
+you when it comes to meal times,” retorted the
+fat youth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Only about six inches more around the waist
+line,” grinned Billy, dodging a blow from the
+fleshy youth’s fat but muscular arm.
+</p>
+<p>
+Shouldering the supplies, which consisted of
+such staples as bacon, flour, sugar, rice and so
+forth, the lads made their way up the beach,
+having first carried the dory’s anchor far up
+above highwater mark. They took their way
+along the electrically-charged fence till they came
+to a spot where there was a gate and a switch
+to break the connection. Frank turned off the
+switch, grounded the current, and opened the
+gate, through which they passed, and entered
+on a narrow path winding up among the rocks.
+When they had all gone through, Frank closed
+the gate, snapped on the switch again and the
+fence became as mischievous as before.
+</p>
+<p>
+In single file, headed by Harry, for Frank had
+now taken a rear place, they toiled up the steep
+path until, at the summit of the rocky little cliff,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span>
+it plunged into the woods. Traversing these
+for a short distance, and always climbing upward,
+for the island converged to a point in the
+middle, they at length emerged on a clearing,
+evidently of nature’s workmanship, for there
+was no trace of recently felled trees or other
+human work.
+</p>
+<p>
+The floor of this clearing was of rock, and off
+at one side a clear spring bubbled cheerfully over
+into a barrel set so as to catch the overflow. In
+the center of the open space stood a small but
+substantially-built portable house—one of the
+sectional kind. This formed the living quarters
+of the young island dwellers. Above it rose, like
+gaunt, leafless trees, two iron poles set thirty
+feet apart and stayed by stout guy wires. Between
+those two poles were suspended, by block
+and tackle, the aërials, or antennæ, by which messages
+were caught and sent. Within the hut was
+the rest of the wireless apparatus, which, with
+the exception of some improvements of Frank’s
+devising, was of the portable kind—the same in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span>
+fact that they had used in Florida. Outside the
+hut was a small shelter covering a four horse-power
+gasolene engine, which generated the
+power for the station.
+</p>
+<p>
+As most boys are familiar nowadays with the
+rudiments of wireless telegraphy we are not going
+into technical details concerning the plant.
+Suffice it to say that the boys were able to converse
+with Portland, under favorable conditions,
+and judged that, in suitable weather, they had a
+radius of some two hundred and fifty miles.
+</p>
+<p>
+But it was off to one side of the clearing, the
+side nearest to the cove, that the most interesting
+structure on the island was situated. This
+was more of a covering than a shed, for it consisted
+merely of a roof supported with uprights;
+but in bad weather canvas curtains could be
+drawn so as to make its interior stormproof.
+</p>
+<p>
+This shed was now open, and under the roof
+could be seen what was perhaps at the moment
+the most unique machine of its kind in the world.
+Looking into that shed you would have said at
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span>
+first that it housed a boat. For the first object
+that struck your eye was a double-ended, flat-bottomed
+craft of shimmering aluminum metal,
+about thirty feet in length and built on the general
+lines of one of our life-saving craft. That
+is to say, with “whalebacks” at each end containing
+air chambers, and plenty of beam and
+room within the cockpit. A peculiar feature,
+however, was the addition of four wheels.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the boat theory would have had to be
+abandoned the next moment, for above the hull
+of the whaleboat-shaped craft was what appeared
+to be the understructure of an aëroplane. But
+the planes—the broad wings—themselves were
+lacking. The twin propellers connected to a motor
+within the boat were, however, in place. Apparently
+they were driven by chains, similar to,
+but stouter than, the ordinary bicycle variety.
+</p>
+<p>
+All about was a litter of tools and implements
+of all kinds. Several large frames leaning
+against one side of the shed appeared to be the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span>
+skeleton forms of the wings which were soon to
+be added to the superstructure.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tamales and terrapins!” cried Pudge admiringly,
+as he gazed at the uncompleted craft, “but
+she begins to look like something, eh, Frank?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes,” nodded the young aviator, “but until
+your father arrives we cannot adjust the wings.
+There is a lot of theoretical work connected with
+them that he will have to do. By the way, I
+wonder if Portland’s got any answer to our message
+yet?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Followed by the others, Frank entered the living hut,
+which proved to be a snug, neat compartment
+about fifteen feet in length, by ten in
+width. It had four windows, two on a side, and
+a door at one end. At the other end was the
+wireless apparatus, with its glittering bright
+metal parts, and businesslike-looking condensers
+and tuning coils. Along the walls were four
+bunks, two on a side, one above the other. In
+the center were a table and camp chairs, and
+from the ceiling hung a large oil lamp.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+A shelf held a good collection of books on aëro
+and wireless subjects, and at one side of the door
+was a blue-flame kerosene stove. On the other
+side of the door was a cupboard containing
+crockery, knives, forks and cooking utensils.
+Altogether, if the boys had not been there for a
+more serious purpose, the place might have been
+said to form an almost ideal camp for four
+healthy, active lads.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Start up the motor, Harry,” said Frank, as
+soon as they had deposited their burdens, “and
+we’ll try and get some track of Dr. Perkins. His
+answer to our message ought to be in Portland
+by now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The younger Chester lad hastened outside, and
+soon the popping of the motor announced that it
+was running. Frank sat down at the key and,
+depressing it, sent a blue-white flame crackling
+across the spark gap. Out into space, from the
+aërials stretched above, the message went volleying.
+It was the call of the Portland station that
+Frank was sending. He flashed it out three
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span>
+times, as is customary, and then signed it F-C.,
+the latter being Brigg Island’s agreed-upon signature.
+Then, while the others gathered round,
+Frank adjusted the “phones,” the delicate receivers
+that clamp over the ear and through which,
+by way of the detector, any message vibrating in
+the air may be caught as it encounters the antenna.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank listened some time but—save for the
+conversation of two wireless operators far out
+at sea—he could hear nothing. With a gesture of
+impatience Frank began adjusting his tuning
+coil. All at once he broke into a smile of satisfaction.
+At last Portland was answering:
+</p>
+<p>
+“F—C! F—C! F—C!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right,” rejoined Frank, sending a volley
+of sparks crashing and flashing across the gap as
+soon as he could break in, “is there any answer
+to my message?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. Perkins will be at Motthaven to-morrow night.
+He wants you to meet him,” came
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span>
+back the answer, winging its way over the intervening
+miles of space.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Is that all?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank removed the “phones,” grounded his
+key and told Harry he could stop the motor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll be glad when the doctor does get here,”
+he confided to the others, after he had communicated
+the message, “for I’m beginning to think
+that we are in for some sort of trouble. Those
+two Daniels are pretty influential in the village,
+and it only needs a word from them to turn the
+whole crowd against us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We could stand ’em off,” bragged Pudge
+grandiloquently, “lassoes and lobsters, we could
+stand ’em off. I half wish they would come—buttons
+and buttercakes, but I do!” and Pudge
+doubled up his fists and looked fierce.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You forget, Pudge,” said Frank, “that we are
+here in positions of responsibility. All this property
+is your father’s. It is our duty to see that
+no harm comes to it. A bunch of those fishermen inflamed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span>
+by anger might be able to do more
+harm here in an hour than could be repaired in
+months, not to mention the cost.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Surely you don’t think they’d come down to
+actual violence, Frank?” inquired Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know. The two Daniels looked mighty
+savage to-day, I can tell you. If it hadn’t been
+for the electric fence they might have made trouble.
+At all events I’ll be glad to have some advice.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III.—A NIGHT ALARM.</h2>
+<p>
+After supper that night, a meal consisting of
+fried salt pork, boiled potatoes and some fresh
+fish which Frank had caught earlier in the day,
+the elder of the Chester lads called what he
+termed “a conference,” although Billy Barnes declared
+it was more in the nature of a “council of
+war.”
+</p>
+<p>
+We are not going to detail here all that was
+said as it would make wearisome reading; but,
+after an hour or more of talk, Frank spoke his
+mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It may be all foolishness, of course,” he said,
+“but I think that we ought not to leave the island
+unguarded to-night. Daniels and his son
+have had a taste of that wire fence and they
+may have figured out some way to get around
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span>
+it—it would be a simple enough matter to do,
+after all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, what’s your proposal?” inquired Billy
+Barnes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“To patrol the island all night, taking turns
+on watch. It’s not more than a mile or so all
+round it, and it ought to be an easy matter to
+keep the ground thoroughly covered.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Rifles and rattlesnakes!” burst out Pudge,
+“I thought this was to be a sort of working vacation
+and not a civil war.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank smiled, and then assumed a graver expression
+as he went on:
+</p>
+<p>
+“There is so much valuable property here
+which it would be easy for malicious people to
+injure that I wouldn’t feel justified in leaving
+the island unguarded all night. What do the
+rest of you think?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just as you do, Frank,” rejoined Harry heartily,
+while Billy and Pudge nodded vigorously;
+“we’ve got to keep a sharp lookout. I nominate
+myself and Pudge for the first watch—say from
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span>
+eight to twelve. You and Billy can go on duty
+from midnight till daylight.”
+</p>
+<p>
+After some discussion this order of procedure
+was adopted. Promptly at eight o’clock Harry
+and Pudge Perkins went “on duty,” while Frank
+and Billy turned in to get what sleep they could.
+As a matter of precaution, when they came to
+the island, the boys had brought along a revolver,
+and Harry was armed with this when he went
+on duty. He was not, of course, to use it as a
+weapon of offence, but it was agreed that, in
+case there was any alarm during his watch, he
+was to fire it three times, when the others would
+come to his assistance.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry and Pudge accompanied each other as
+far as the gate, and then threaded their way
+down the path among the rocks toward the beach.
+A mild current had been turned on in the fence,
+enough to give an uncomfortable shock to any
+one tampering with it, but not enough to exhaust
+the storage batteries which supplied it.
+</p>
+<p>
+When they reached the beach, Harry paused.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’d better start this patrol in opposite directions,”
+he said, “and then we can meet each
+other once on every circuit.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right,” agreed Pudge, “but—pirates and
+parachutes—keep a good eye open.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t worry about me,” rejoined Harry; “so
+long!”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he spoke each boy stepped off into the darkness
+to begin the patrol. As Harry trudged
+along the beach his mind was full of the events
+of which Frank had spoken that afternoon. Up
+in the lighted hut, with his companions around
+him, it had seemed a very remote possibility to
+the boy that any attack should be made on the
+island. But pacing along under the stars, with
+only the sound of his own footsteps for company,
+placed a very different light on the matter. What
+if the disgruntled fishermen should make a night
+descent on the island?
+</p>
+<p>
+“This won’t do,” exclaimed Harry to himself,
+coming to a sudden halt in the cove opposite to
+which the motor boat was moored, and where
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span>
+a blacker patch on the dark sand showed him
+the beached dinghy, “it’s no use getting shivery
+and scared just because a couple of cranky fishermen
+are so sore at us. I’ve got to brace up,
+that’s all there is to it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+His surroundings, however, were not calculated
+to soothe the nervous suspense of the lad.
+Except for the stars glittering like steel points
+in the night sky there was no light. The night
+was so pitchy dark, on the beach under the
+shadow of the trees, that he could hardly see
+with certainty a yard ahead of him. The surf
+roared hoarsely against the rocks at the point—for
+the tide was full, and the night wind moaned
+in the trees like a note of warning.
+</p>
+<p>
+With an idea of carrying out his patrol properly,
+Harry went toward the darker patch amid
+the gloom which showed him where the beached
+dinghy lay. He examined it as well as he could,
+and made sure that it was well above tide water.
+Having completed this, he paced on, and in due
+time heard footsteps approaching him which he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span>
+knew must be those of Pudge Perkins. A minute
+later the two young sentinels met and exchanged
+greetings. Pudge had nothing to report, except
+that it was what he called a “creepy” job. However,
+he pluckily averred: “Ghosts and gibberish,
+Harry, I’m going to stick it out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s right,” approved Harry, and after a
+few words both boys once more started out on
+their lonesome tours of duty.
+</p>
+<p>
+In due course Harry again reached the cove
+opposite the schooner hulk, and this time, being
+rather tired, he decided to sit down on the
+beached dinghy and take a rest. But, to his astonishment,
+it didn’t seem to be in the place
+where it should have been.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I could have sworn it was right here,” said
+Harry to himself, as he trudged about on his
+quest, “it must be close at hand. Guess I’ll fall
+over it and hurt my shins in a minute.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But although he reassured himself, the boy
+felt far from secure in his belief. After a further
+painstaking search he was fain to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span>
+confess—what he really believed from the first—that the
+dinghy which had lain there a short time before
+had mysteriously vanished!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can it be those miserable Daniels?” gasped
+Harry to himself. “Yes, it must be,” he went
+on, answering his own questions, “who else would
+have done it, unless it drifted off.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He was moving about as he spoke, and as he
+uttered the last words he stumbled across something
+that showed him very plainly that the
+dinghy could not have drifted away from the
+beach. What he had fallen over was the anchor
+firmly embedded in the sand, with a length of
+rope still attached to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry felt along the bit of rope in the darkness
+till he reached the end of it. Then he
+struck a match. In the flicker of light which
+followed he saw plainly enough what had occurred—the
+rope had been slashed through. The
+boy had just made this discovery when from the
+water he heard something that caused him to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span>
+listen acutely, bending every sense to the operation.
+</p>
+<p>
+What he had heard was the splash of an oar,
+and a quick exclamation of impatience, as if the
+rower, whoever he was, had blamed his involuntary
+misstroke.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Some one’s out there, and they’re aboard the
+schooner, too; or I’m very much mistaken,” exclaimed
+Harry to himself, as, listening acutely,
+he caught the sound of footsteps proceeding,
+seemingly, by their hollow ring, from the decks
+of the dismantled hulk; “what will I do? If I
+fire the pistol I’ll scare them off, and if I
+don’t——”
+</p>
+<p>
+He stopped short. A sudden daring idea had
+flashed into his mind. The boy hastily slipped
+off his shoes and divested himself of all but his
+undergarments. Then, leaving his pistol on the
+beach, he slipped noiselessly into the bay and
+struck out in the direction of the schooner. The
+water was bitterly cold, as it always is off the
+Maine coast, even in the height of summer, but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span>
+Harry kept dauntlessly on, determined to brave
+anything in the execution of his purpose.
+</p>
+<p>
+The hulk lay only about a hundred yards off
+the shore, and before long he could see her dark
+outlines looming up against the lighter darkness
+of the sky on the horizon. He fancied, but could
+not be certain that it was not an illusion, that
+for an instant he could see two forms creeping
+along the decks. The next moment something
+showed up ahead of him with which he almost
+collided.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry, with a gasp of gratitude, for the water
+had chilled him to the bone, recognized it as the
+motor boat. As silently as he could he drew
+himself up into it, and then, casting himself flat
+in the cockpit, he listened with all his might for
+further sounds from the schooner.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV.—CUT ADRIFT.</h2>
+<p>
+He did not have long to wait. Seemingly, whoever
+the marauders were—and as to their identity
+the lad could hazard a pretty good guess—they
+did not bother much about lowering their
+voices.
+</p>
+<p>
+“By the jumping crickey!” he heard coming
+over the water from the schooner, “jiggered if I
+kin make out what they cal’kelated ter use this
+hulk fer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hush! Not so loud, pop. Ther sound carries
+tur’rble fur over ther water.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“As if I didn’t know thet, Zeb, but what do
+we care? Them kids is fast asleep, and anyhow,
+we cut the dinghy adrift so they couldn’t do us
+any harm ef they wanted to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thet’s right, too; but some of ’em might be
+prowling about. They’re up ter all sorts uv
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span>
+tricks. I ain’t forgot thet thar fence, I kin tell
+yer. My arm’s a-tingling yet whar thet electricity
+hit me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Soaked through as he was, and chilly into the
+bargain, Harry couldn’t help smiling as he heard
+this eloquent testimonial to the efficacy of the
+“charged” fence. He had caught the name of
+“Zeb,” too, which speedily removed all doubt
+from his mind as to the identity of the marauders.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The precious rascals,” he thought, while his
+teeth chattered with cold, “I’m mighty glad I
+did swim out here, even if I am almost frozen
+to death. If they aren’t under arrest to-morrow
+it won’t be my fault.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Little more was heard from the schooner, but
+from what he could catch he surmised that the
+two fishers were completely mystified by the
+craft. Presently he heard their footsteps descending
+the gangway and then came the splash
+of oars. They were dipped silently no longer, a
+pretty sure sign that the two rascals didn’t much
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span>
+care if they were heard or not. After a moment
+the splashing sound grew more remote, and
+Harry knew that the two prowlers had taken
+their departure.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a scull in the motor boat and as
+soon as he was sure that the Daniels were out
+of earshot, Harry up anchored and began sculling
+the motor boat toward the hulk. The distance
+was so short that he did not want to bother
+to start the engine, and in a few seconds he was
+alongside the dark hulk. He shoved along the
+side till the motor boat grated against the gangway,
+and then, not forgetting to make the motor
+craft fast, he leaped up the steps, with the purpose
+of discovering what harm, if any, had been
+wrought aboard the <em>Betsy Jane</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry knew where a lantern was kept, and
+descending into what had once been the cabin he
+began rummaging about for it. In the pitchy
+blackness the task took him longer than he had
+anticipated, but at last he found the lantern and
+the matches which lay beside it. Hastily striking
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span>
+a light he soon had the bare cabin filled with the
+yellow rays of the lamp. As has been explained,
+the <em>Betsy Jane</em> had been purchased as a sort of
+“trying-out” appliance for the inventions of Dr.
+Perkins, and therefore the cabin contained nothing
+in the way of furniture. The lamp, in fact,
+had only been placed on board as a precaution
+in case a riding light was ever needed on the anchored
+hulk. But as she had remained at her
+moorings in the isolated cove this was not, of
+course, necessary.
+</p>
+<p>
+A brief look about the cabin showed Harry
+that nothing had been molested there. In fact,
+as has been said, there was nothing to molest. A
+door in the forward bulkhead led into the empty
+hold, and the boy next made his way there, the
+lamp casting weird shadows on the timbers as
+he went. His steps rang hollowly through the
+deserted ship, and he could hardly repress a shudder
+as he threaded his way among the stanchions,
+which, like the pillars in a church, upheld the
+deck above his head.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Reaching what had been the forecastle of the
+<em>Betsy Jane</em>, Harry came to the conclusion that
+nothing had been damaged below. His next task
+was to go up on deck. His examination below
+decks had been painstaking, and had occupied
+him some time, but he was determined to make it
+a thorough one. The fact is that an ugly suspicion
+had crept into Harry’s mind as he lay in
+the bottom of the motor boat listening to the two
+Daniels on board the schooner. This was nothing
+more nor less than a dread that they might
+have “scuttled” the craft. From what he knew
+of them the two were capable of anything, and
+he thought that in their rage at finding nothing
+on board that they could damage they might have
+bored holes in the schooner in order to sink her.
+His investigation of the hold, however, had
+shown him—to his great relief—that nothing
+of the sort had occurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+Coming on deck Harry made as careful a
+search for damage as he had done in the hold.
+But the inclined superstructure remained intact,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span>
+and nothing indicated that the Daniels had done
+anything more than stroll about, trying to discover
+what the object of the schooner was.
+</p>
+<p>
+So intent had Harry been on his task that he
+had, for the time being, completely forgotten
+that Pudge must be anxiously looking for him.
+Going into the eyes of the craft he sent a hearty
+hail ashore:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pudge ahoy! Oh-h-h-h, Pu-d-g-e!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Then he stopped to listen intently. But no reply
+came to his hail. He tried it again and again,
+without success. Then he determined as a last
+resort to fire the agreed-upon three shots. He
+did not want to alarm his companions unnecessarily,
+but surely, he thought, it would be a good
+idea to arouse them and communicate what had
+occurred since he left the hut.
+</p>
+<p>
+Up to that moment the boy had completely forgotten
+that he had left the pistol on the beach.
+He felt compelled to laugh at himself for his
+absentmindedness, but while the laugh was still
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span>
+on his lips something happened that caused it to
+freeze there.
+</p>
+<p>
+A mass of cold spray was suddenly projected
+over the bow. At the same instant the old hulk
+quivered at the smart “slap” of a wave.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gracious!” thought Harry to himself, “the
+sea must be getting up. I reckon I’d best be
+going back ashore.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he made his way aft toward the gangway
+he found that the sea must indeed have risen
+since he came on board. The old hulk was rolling
+about like a bottle, and he had to hold on to
+the rail as he made his way along the decks. Getting
+into the motor boat under these conditions
+was no easy task. But it was accomplished at
+last.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess I’ll start the engine before I cut
+adrift,” said Harry to himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Later on he was to be very thankful he did.
+Turning on the switch and gasolene he began
+to “spin” the fly wheel; but beyond a wheezy
+cough the motor gave no sign of responding.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span>
+For more than half an hour the boy worked with
+might and main over the refractory bit of machinery,
+but to no effect. The engine was absolutely
+“dead.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What can be the matter with it?” thought
+Harry to himself. “It’s never acted this way before.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He stood up, too engrossed in his problem to
+realize what a sea was running. Before he could
+recover his balance the pitching craft almost
+bucked him overboard.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gracious! the waves are getting up with a
+vengeance,” exclaimed the boy to himself; “I can
+never scull ashore in this sea. Queer, too, there,
+doesn’t seem to be any more wind than when I
+left shore. Certainly I’ve never seen the sea as
+rough as this in the inlet before.”
+</p>
+<p>
+With the object of finding out what ailed the
+obstinate motor, he returned to the deck of the
+schooner where he had left the lamp. Getting
+into the motor boat with it once more, by dint of
+much balancing and holding on he cast its rays
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span>
+on the single cylinder. Almost simultaneously
+he saw what had happened. Somebody, he had
+no difficulty in guessing who, had removed the
+sparking points. No wonder that no explosion
+had followed his efforts to get the craft under
+way.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, here’s a fine fix,” thought Harry; “even
+if I could attract their attention ashore I’ve got
+no means of getting there. Oh, if I won’t get
+even with those Daniels as soon as I get a chance!
+Wonder what I’d better do?”
+</p>
+<p>
+His first move was to clamber back on board
+the schooner, for the wild rolling of the motor
+boat, as she plunged about at the foot of the gangway,
+was not helpful to thought. Gaining the
+deck once more Harry sought out the cabin and
+seated himself on the edge of one of the empty
+bunks which ranged its sides.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly it occurred to him that he was uncommonly
+sleepy, and at the same time he
+thought that possibly it would be a good idea
+to pass the rest of the night in slumber. He had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span>
+no watch, but he imagined that it could not be
+so very far to daylight. With this object in
+view he cast himself down in the bunk and, despite
+the hardness of the bed and the chilliness
+of his scantily clad limbs, he rapidly slipped away
+from his surroundings into a dreamless sleep.
+</p>
+<p>
+When he awoke the sun was shining through
+the stern ports. That is, it was for one instant,
+and then in the next it was obscured again.
+Harry was enough of a sailor to know that this
+meant a cloudy day, with possibly a piping wind
+scurrying the clouds across the sky.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thank goodness it’s daylight anyhow!” he exclaimed,
+jumping from his uncomfortable couch,
+with an ache in every limb in his body; “now
+to go on deck and attract their attention ashore.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Utterly unprepared for the shock that was to
+greet him, Harry bounded up the companionway
+stairs and on to the deck.
+</p>
+<p>
+Had a bomb exploded at his feet he could not
+have been more thunderstruck than he was at
+the sight which greeted him.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+There was no island, no distant mainland.
+Nothing but miles upon miles of tumbling blue
+water in which the <em>Betsy Jane</em> was wallowing
+about, casting showers of spray over her bow
+every time she nosed into a billow.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry’s heart stood still for an instant. His
+senses swam dizzily. Then, with a sudden return
+of his faculties, he realized what had occurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+The mooring rope of the <em>Betsy Jane</em> had been
+cut or had broken, and he was miles out on the
+Atlantic without a prospect of succor.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V.—ADVENTURES ON THE HULK.</h2>
+<p>
+A sudden sharp puff of wind, followed by a
+heavier dip than usual on the part of the dismantled
+hulk, apprised the boy that both breeze
+and sea were increasing. Putting aside, for the
+moment, by a brave effort, his heart sickness,
+Harry ran to the rail and peered over the side.
+The motor boat was careering gallantly along by
+the side of her big consort, and the boy was glad
+to note that the painter still held, despite the
+strain.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Harry knew, from his examination the
+previous night, that it would be useless to try
+to escape by the motor craft. She was disabled
+beyond hope of repair, unless he could get another
+spark plug. Having made sure the motor
+craft was all right, Harry returned to the bow
+and sat down to think the situation over.
+</p>
+<p>
+It would have been a trying one for a man to
+face, let alone a lad; but Harry’s numerous adventures
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span>
+had given him a power of calm thought
+beyond his years, and he managed to marshal
+his ideas into some sort of shape as he crouched
+under the bow bulwarks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Evidently the <em>Betsy Jane</em> was caught by the
+tide, when it turned, and carried out to sea,” he
+thought, “and then, when the wind got up, she
+drifted still faster. I wonder if her mooring
+rope broke or if it was cut—guess I’ll take a
+look.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The boy dragged inboard the end of the mooring
+line that still hung over the bow. One look
+at it was enough. The clean cut strands showed
+conclusively that it had been severed, just above
+the water line, by a sharp knife. The fact that
+the Daniels could not know that any one would
+come on board after they slashed the line did not
+make their act any less heinous in Harry’s eyes.
+It had been their deliberate intention to set the
+schooner adrift, and they had succeeded only too
+well in their act of spite.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Whatever will they be thinking on the island
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span>
+when they discover all this?” thought Harry with
+a low groan. “They’ll imagine that I’m dead, or
+at least that some fatal accident has befallen me,
+and, worst of all, they have no boat to use to
+reach the mainland. They are just as much prisoners
+as I am.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sharp pangs of hunger now began to assail
+the lad, and he recollected, with a thankful heart,
+that on board the motor boat there were the remains
+of a lunch they had taken ashore with
+them on their expedition the previous day. There
+was also a keg of water. Harry lost no time
+in descending the gangway and making his way
+to the locker where the food had been stored.
+First, however, he made a foray on the water
+keg. Taking out the stopper he found that it
+was only half full, but he slaked his thirst gratefully,
+taking care to use as small a quantity of
+the fluid as possible. He knew that before long
+the water might be precious indeed.
+</p>
+<p>
+In the locker he found the remnants of the
+lunch. As he consumed the scraps of bread and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span>
+cheese, and a small hunk of corned beef, he recalled
+with what light hearts they had fallen to
+the meal of which he was now devouring the remains.
+The recollection almost overcame him.
+With a strong effort the boy choked back a sob
+and formed a grim determination not to dwell
+upon his miserable situation more than was possible.
+He felt that the main thing was to keep
+a clear head.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was some spare rope on board the hulk,
+and with this Harry made the fastenings of the
+launch more secure, leading one end of the rope
+on board the schooner itself, and making it fast
+to a cleat. He felt that the craft would be more
+safe if attached thus than would have been the
+case had he depended on the gangway alone.
+</p>
+<p>
+This done, he took a look about him. He had
+had a vague hope that he might sight a ship of
+some sort, but the ocean was empty as a desert.
+Not a sail or a smudge of smoke marred the
+horizon. All this time the wind had been steadily
+freshening, and Harry judged that the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span>
+schooner must be drifting before it quite fast.
+The inclined superstructure naturally added to
+her “windage” and made her go before the gale
+more rapidly. The sea, too, was piling up in
+great, glistening, green water rows, which looked
+formidable indeed. But so far the <em>Betsy Jane</em>
+had wallowed along right gallantly, only shipping
+a shower of spray occasionally when a big
+sea struck her obliquely on the bow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If only I had plenty of food and water,”
+thought Harry, “this would be nothing more than
+a good bit of adventure, but——”
+</p>
+<p>
+In accordance with his resolution not to dwell
+on the more serious aspects of his predicament
+he dismissed this side of the case from his mind.
+But as the day wore on, and he grew intolerably
+thirsty, the thought of what might be his fate,
+if he did not fall in with some vessel, beset his
+mind more and more, to the exclusion of all else.
+In the afternoon, as closely as he could judge
+the time, he took another drink from the fast-diminishing
+supply in the keg. He noticed, with
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span>
+an unpleasant shock, that the fluid was growing
+alarmingly lower. Before he took the draught
+he had cleaned up the remaining crumbs left in
+the locker, and was now absolutely without food.
+</p>
+<p>
+The rest of that afternoon he passed watching
+the empty sea for some sign of a ship, but not
+a trace of one could he discover. Utterly disheartened
+he watched the sun set in a blaze of
+crimson and gold. The sunset lay behind him,
+and Harry knew by this that he was drifting east
+at a rapid rate. Just how rapid he had, of course,
+no means of calculating. Of one thing he was
+thankful—the sea had not increased, and the
+wind appeared to have fallen considerably with
+the departure of daylight.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Surely,” thought the boy, “I must have
+drifted on the track of ocean vessels by this time.
+I know there’s a line to Halifax, and another to
+Portland, besides the coasters.”
+</p>
+<p>
+With this thought came another. What if he
+should be run down during the night? The idea
+sent a shudder through his scantily clothed form.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span>
+He knew that derelicts are often the cause of
+marine disasters, and during the dark hours
+the hulk might invite such a fate if he did not
+take steps to guard against it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Accordingly he lit his lantern and hung it in
+the underpinning of the inclined superstructure.
+</p>
+<p>
+“At least they can see that,” he thought, as he
+completed the hanging of his warning light.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then, having done all he well could under the
+circumstances, Harry cast himself down in the
+lee of the weather bulwarks and tried to sleep.
+But in his scanty attire he was far too cold to
+do aught but lie and shiver till his teeth chattered.
+He determined to pass the rest of the
+night below, and once more sought a couch in
+the empty bunk. But sleep was a long time coming.
+Tired, excited and hungry as the boy was,
+he could not compose himself to slumber. Ten
+or a dozen times he started up and ran to the
+deck, thinking that he had heard the distant beat
+of some vessel’s engines. But each time it proved
+a false alarm.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+At length tired nature asserted herself, and
+he sank to sleep in good earnest. When he
+awakened it was daylight, and there was an odd
+feeling about the motion of the <em>Betsy Jane</em>. She
+seemed to have ceased her rolling and pitching,
+and was almost steady in the water. Suddenly
+there came a jarring crash that almost threw
+Harry out of the bunk.
+</p>
+<p>
+Much startled, he ran on deck, and found, to
+his astonishment, that the vessel lay right off an
+island. Seemingly she had grounded on a reef
+of rocks stretching out from the island itself.
+At any rate, as the waves rocked her she gave
+a jarring, crunching bump with each pitch of her
+hull. The island appeared to be a small one,
+and in general appearance was not unlike Brig
+Island. In fact, at first Harry had thought that
+in some magical way the <em>Betsy Jane</em> had drifted
+back to that small speck of land. But a second
+glance showed him that the island off which the
+dismantled hull had grounded differed in many
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span>
+essentials from the one he had left. Far to the
+westward, about twenty miles as well as the boy
+could judge, lay a dim streak of dark blue that
+Harry guessed was the mainland. But for all
+the good it did him it might have been a hundred
+miles removed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry was still gazing at the island and wondering
+how he could reach it before the <em>Betsy
+Jane</em> pounded herself to pieces on the rocks, when
+he started violently. The island was not, as he
+had supposed, uninhabited—at least, he had
+caught sight of a swirl of blue smoke rising from
+among the trees on its highest part. This meant
+help, companionship and food. An involuntary
+cry of joy rose to the boy’s lips, which the next
+instant turned to a groan as he looked over the
+side of the schooner and saw that the reef on
+which she had struck was much too far out from
+the shore for him to try to swim the distance,
+even if a roaring, racing tide would not have
+made it suicidal to attempt the feat.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Unless I can attract the attention of whoever
+lives there by shouting, I’m as badly off as I was
+before,” exclaimed Harry, in a voice made quavery
+by panic.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI.—HARRY MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.</h2>
+<p>
+All at once, while he was still gazing at the
+column of smoke shoreward, Harry became
+aware of a figure coming out of the woods toward
+the beach. He shouted with all his might,
+and the man who had appeared from the undergrowth
+waved a reply.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then his voice came over the water.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s up?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The tone somehow was strangely familiar to
+Harry, and, for that matter, when he had first
+seen the figure of the newcomer it had struck
+him with an odd sense of familiarity. Suddenly
+he realized why this was.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ben Stubbs!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ahoy, mate!” came back after a pause; “who
+are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Harry Chester!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“By the great horn spoon! What the dickens
+are you doing out there?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Cupping his hands to make his voice carry
+the better, Harry hailed back once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I drifted here on this hulk. Can you take
+me off?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can I? Wait a jiffy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben Stubbs—for it was actually the “maroon”
+whom the boys had rescued from a miserable fate
+in the Nicaraguan treasure valley—began running
+along the shore as fast as his short legs
+would carry him. Presently he vanished around
+a wooded promontory, leaving Harry in a strange
+jumble of feelings. What could the good-hearted
+old companion of several of their adventures be
+doing on this desolate island off the Maine coast?
+When they had last heard from him he had been
+running a tug boat line in New York harbor, having
+purchased the business with the profits made
+out of the discovery of the treasure trove in the
+Sargasso Sea.
+</p>
+<p>
+Before a great while the man who had so opportunely
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span>
+appeared came into view once more
+This time he was in a skiff, rowing with strong
+strokes toward the stranded hulk of the <em>Betsy
+Jane</em>. Harry watched him with eager eyes. Fast
+as Ben Stubbs rowed, it seemed an eternity to the
+anxious boy before his strangely rediscovered
+friend reached the side of the grounded schooner.
+</p>
+<p>
+When he did so he hastily made fast, and was
+up the gangway ladder three steps at a time.
+Fortunately for his haste, the sea had diminished
+in roughness considerably, and the <em>Betsy Jane</em>
+lay almost motionless on the reef. Otherwise he
+would have stood a strong chance of being
+thrown from his footing. Harry was at the
+gangway as Ben Stubbs’ weather-beaten countenance
+came into view at the top of the steps.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben seized the boy’s hand in a grip that made
+Harry flinch, but he returned it with as strong
+a clench as he could. For a moment both of
+them were too much overcome with emotion at
+the strange meeting to utter a word. It was Ben
+who spoke first.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, what under the revolving universe
+are you doing here?” he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I was about to ask the same question of you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a long story, boy, and you look just about
+played out. What has happened? I never
+dreamed that you were even in this neighborhood.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess the same thing applies to me, so far
+as you are concerned, Ben,” rejoined Harry, between
+a laugh and a sob. “As for myself, I’ve
+been adrift all night on this old hulk. Some rascals
+cut her loose from her moorings at Brig
+Island.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wow! you’ve drifted all the way from there.
+Why, it’s fifty miles or more away.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it. It seemed a million to me. What
+worries me is what the others must be thinking.
+They won’t know if I’m dead or alive.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll find a way to let ’em know, never fear,”
+struck in Ben in his deep, rumbling voice; “but
+I reckon you’re hungry and thirsty?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Am I? Why, I could eat a horse without
+sauce or salt, as you used to say.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then get in the skiff and come ashore. I’ve
+got a sort of a hut there. It ain’t much of a
+place, but I’ve got enough to eat and a good
+spring of clear water, and I can give you a
+suit of slops.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But the schooner?” demanded Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’ll be all right, I reckon. She’s lying on
+a sort of sandy ridge that runs out here. The
+sea’s gone down so that she won’t do herself any
+harm, and we can’t do her any good right now.
+You see, the tide is falling. When it rises we’ll
+try to get her off and anchor her in a snugger
+berth.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry might have argued the point, but the
+prospect of food and drink made so strong an
+appeal to him that he did not stop to waste words.
+Five minutes later they were rowing ashore, and,
+while Ben bent to the oars with a will, Harry
+told him in detail all that happened since they
+came to Brig Island, and the reason of their presence
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span>
+there. He knew that he was safe in confiding
+in old Ben.
+</p>
+<p>
+The relation of his story occupied the entire
+trip to the shore, and when Ben had beached his
+skiff he seized Harry by the arm and began hurrying
+him up the beach toward a small hut, half
+canvas, half lumber, which stood back under the
+shelter of a low bluff. The boy was desperately
+anxious to learn the reason of Ben’s presence on
+the island, for he knew it could have no ordinary
+cause. But the weather-beaten old adventurer
+would not allow the boy to say another word
+till he had clothed himself and eaten all he could
+put away of a rabbit stew washed down with
+strong coffee.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, then,” remarked Ben, as soon as Harry
+had finished, “I suppose you’re a-dyin’ to hear
+what I’m doin’ on Barren Island, which is the
+name of this bit of land?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am, indeed,” declared Harry, shoving back
+the cracker box which had served him as a chair;
+“the last person in the world I would have expected
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span>
+to see when the <em>Betsy Jane</em> grounded was
+Ben Stubbs.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben chuckled.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Allers turnin’ up, like a bad penny, ain’t I?”
+he said, shoving some very black tobacco into his
+old pipe. “’Member ther time I dropped out of
+the sky in thet dirigible balloon?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I should say I did,” laughed Harry;
+“but how you got here is past my comprehension.
+What became of the tug boat line?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben snapped his fingers.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All gone, my lad! Gone just like that! I
+reckon I’m not a good hand at business, or the
+crooked tricks that answers for that same. Anyhow,
+to make a long yarn a short one, I went
+on a friend’s note and he dug out. That was
+blow number one. To meet that note I had to
+mortgage some of my boats, and in some way—blow
+me if I rightly understand it yet—I got
+myself in a hole whar’ the lawyer fellers bled
+me till I was mighty near dry. I tried to struggle
+along, but it wasn’t no go. Then came a strike
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span>
+of tug boat hands and that finished me. I
+couldn’t stand the long lay off without anything
+to do, so I sold out for what I could get, and—and
+here I am.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m mighty sorry to hear that you failed,
+Ben,” said Harry with real sympathy in his tones,
+“but you haven’t said yet what you are doing
+here on Barren Island, as you call it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m a-gettin’ to that, lad,” said Ben, emitting
+a cloud of blue smoke; “give me time. As I told
+you, that feller on whose note I went, skedaddled.
+You see, I’d trusted him as my own brother,
+bein’ as I knew his father when I was a miner.
+He—that’s this chap’s father, I mean—was a
+Frenchman, Raoul Duval was his name, and his
+son’s name the same. Old man Duval made his
+pile in Lower Californy and was makin’ fer his
+home in New Orleans when ther steamer he was
+travelin’ on blew up, and he and all his gold dust—a
+whalin’ big lot of it—went to the bottom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never calculated to hear anything more of
+Duval arter this, but one day this young feller
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span>
+I’ve been tellin’ you about shows up in New York
+and hunts me up. He tells me that he’s old
+Raoul’s son, and that he’d had a run of hard
+luck and so on, and wants to go into business,
+and if, for his father’s sake, I’ll help him out.
+I asks him how he found me out, and he says
+that in his father’s letters home I had often been
+mentioned, and that when he heard of the Stubbs
+Towing Line he made inquiries and found that
+I was in all probability the same man.
+</p>
+<p>
+“As I told you, I let him have the money. It
+don’t matter just how much, but it was quite a
+bit. You see, I did it for the old man’s sake.
+I was sorry afterward. Young Duval wasn’t a
+chip of the old block at all. He was idle and
+dissipated. His business went under and he
+skipped out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did you lend him this money without security
+of any sort?” asked Harry incredulously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“In a way, yes. In another way, no. The
+young chap, when he came to me, had a wild
+story about knowing where the steamer on which
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span>
+his dad lost his life had sunk. He said that from
+letters written home before he left Lower Californy,
+he knew the old man was carrying with
+him, besides the dust, a fortune in black pearls.
+Of course, all these went down when the steamer
+blew up. He had tried, he said, to get a lot of
+folks interested in a scheme to get at the
+wreck and recover the dust and the pearls, but
+they had all laughed at him. He said if I’d give
+him the money he wanted he’d give me, in return,
+the plan of the location whar’ the steamer went
+down.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And did he?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; but since he acted as he did I guess
+there’s no more truth in his yarn than there was
+in anything else he told me. Anyhow, I’ve never
+bothered my head about the matter since.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have you got the plan?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure enough,” Ben fumbled in his pocket,
+“here it is; it’s a roughly drawn thing, as you
+see, but I reckon if the ship was really there it
+would be an easy matter to locate her bones.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry nodded. He was looking over the map
+with deep attention. It was, as Ben had said, a
+crudely drawn affair, and purported to have been
+sketched by one of the survivors of the wreck,
+who, of course, did not know that in the returning
+miner’s cabin there was so much wealth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“How did young Duval get hold of this?” he
+asked at last.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He said that by chance he met a man who
+was the lone survivor of the disaster. This feller
+didn’t know who Duval was, and began talking
+to him about the wreck. Duval, recollecting that
+his father had carried a sum that amounted to
+more than $75,000, was naturally interested. He
+asked the man if he could draw him a sketch of
+the scene where the steamer sank. The feller
+said he could, and that thar sketch is what he
+drawed. At least that’s Duval’s story, and I’m
+frank to tell you I don’t believe a word of it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But still you haven’t told me what you are
+doing on this island,” said Harry after an interval.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s so, too, lad. I got so interested in
+tellin’ my troubles I clean forgot about Barren
+Island. Well, it’s this way. Arter the crash I
+felt ashamed to show my face. Oh, all the creditors
+were paid up—every last one of ’em. But
+I felt like I was an old failure, and good fer
+nuthin’, so I remembered all of a sudden about
+this island that I’d been stranded on a good
+many years ago. I made inquiries and found
+that I could live here rent free as long as I liked,
+with none to interfere, and so I came here. It’s
+quiet and might be lonesome to some folks, but
+it suits me well enough, and I was calculatin’
+to spend the rest of my days here, till you came
+along. But I feel different now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How’s that?” asked Harry, not knowing well
+just what to say to the old man who took his
+business failure so much to heart.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I was watching you studyin’ that map.
+I could see by yer face that you put some stock
+in Duval’s yarn. Ain’t that so?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry could not but confess that it was. The
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span>
+old man’s story, and the map, had aroused in
+him the strong desire for adventure that both
+Boy Aviators possessed to a marked degree. Of
+course, from what Ben had said, Duval did not
+appear to be a person on whom much reliance
+could be placed, but then, again, there was the
+map, and it at least, even if crude, appeared to
+have been a genuine effort to mark the spot
+where the wreck lay. It showed a bayou marked
+“Black Bayou,” running back from the main
+stream of the Mississippi. A black dot some distance
+up this bayou was lettered “Belle of New
+Orleans,” presumably the name of the steamer
+on which Duval met his end.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boy was still pondering over the map
+when, from seaward, there came a sound that
+made both Harry Chester and Ben Stubbs spring
+to their feet.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a gun!” shouted the old man, as the booming
+echoes died away; “may be a ship in distress.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hardly, in this weather,” rejoined Harry, in
+a perplexed tone.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Ben Stubbs had darted from the shanty
+and was running for the beached skiff. A minute
+later Harry was close on his heels, and presently
+they were pulling around the point, about
+to run into the surprise of their lives.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII.—A PUZZLING PROBLEM.</h2>
+<p>
+It is now time that we returned to the island
+where we left Pudge Perkins patrolling the
+beach, and Frank Chester and Billy Barnes
+wrapped in slumber. Frank had set the alarm
+clock for midnight, when it had been arranged
+that he and Billy were to turn out on patrol, and
+its insistent clamor had only just commenced
+when he sprang out of his bunk broad awake and
+prepared to go on duty. Billy stretched and
+yawned a bit before he, too, tumbled out.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gee whillakers!” he exclaimed, as he got into
+his clothes, “it seems to me that we are making
+a lot of fuss over nothing, Frank. I don’t believe
+those fellows will come near the island to-night.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Perhaps not; but it’s our duty to be on guard.
+If anything happened to Dr. Perkins’ invention
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span>
+now it would be almost impossible to repair it in
+time for the tests he wants to make.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Talking thus the two lads got into their
+clothes, drank some coffee, which Frank had prepared
+while they were dressing, and then set out
+into the night. They made for the cove from
+which Harry had started his eventful swim.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Best wait here till they come round,” said
+Frank, and he and Billy found places in the sand
+and made themselves as comfortable as possible
+till they should hear the footsteps of one of the
+young sentries. They had not long to wait.
+Hardly fifteen minutes had elapsed before
+Frank’s sharp ears caught the sound of some one
+approaching. A minute later Pudge joined them.
+His first words were not calculated to make the
+newcomers feel at ease.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Where’s Harry?” he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t you know?” ejaculated Frank with considerable
+surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No. I’ve been making my patrol regularly,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span>
+and the last three times I’ve been round I haven’t
+met him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank’s face could only be dimly seen in the
+darkness, but all his alarm was plain enough in
+his next words.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What can have become of him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Maybe he took the dinghy and decided to look
+over the motor boat and the hulk,” suggested
+Billy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s easy enough to find out,” declared
+Frank, starting for the place where the dinghy
+had been beached. A moment later he stumbled
+over the anchor and, closely following this, by
+the aid of a lighted match, he made the discovery
+that the rope had been slashed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Harry never took that dinghy,” he exclaimed
+apprehensively, “there’s been some crooked work
+here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thunder and turtles! What do you mean?”
+gasped Pudge, fully as anxiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That some one has landed here and stolen
+the dinghy and taken Harry along with them. I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span>
+can’t think of any other explanation. Harry
+would never have cut that rope.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You mean he’s been carried off?” The question
+came from Billy Barnes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I can’t think of any other explanation.
+Pudge, did you hear anything that sounded
+suspicious?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oilskins and onions, no! Not a sound. Let’s
+fire a pistol and see if we get any answer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a good idea, Pudge—Great Scott!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the matter?” demanded Billy Barnes,
+as Frank broke off short and uttered the above
+exclamation.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look here! Harry’s clothes! Wait till I get
+a light. There! Now, see all his outer garments
+and his pistol lying by them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gatling guns and grass hoppers, if this
+doesn’t beat all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He can’t have been carried off, then,” burst
+out Billy, “but if he wasn’t, how did that dinghy
+rope come to be cut?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank made no answer at the moment. The
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span>
+discovery of Harry’s clothes on the beach had
+put a dreadful fear into his mind. What if the
+boy had heard a disturbance on the hulk or on
+the motor boat and, having swum off to see what
+was the trouble, had been seized with a cramp
+and drowned?
+</p>
+<p>
+But Frank firmly thrust the question from him
+the next minute. Such thoughts were by far too
+unnerving to be dwelt on. The others remained
+silent. They seemed to be waiting for Frank to
+speak. Presently the words came.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s too dark to see anything out there,” said
+the boy, in as firm a voice as he could command.
+“Let’s fire three shots—the signal we agreed
+upon—and then if Harry is on the hulk or the
+motor boat he will be sure to answer them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The others agreed that this seemed about the
+best thing to do, and Pudge, taking Harry’s discarded
+weapon, fired it three times. Then came
+a long pause, filled with an ominous silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Try again,” said Frank in a strained voice.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span>
+Once more three sharp reports sounded. But
+again there was no answer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That settles it,” declared Frank solemnly;
+“something has happened to Harry. We must
+get out to the hulk and to the motor boat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How? The dinghy’s gone, and——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to swim for it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Already Frank had thrown off his outer garments.
+On the beach lay a balk of timber which
+they sometimes used to tie the dinghy to. Frank
+now ordered his companions to help in rolling
+this down to the water.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to use it as a help in swimming out
+there,” he said; “the water’s pretty cold, and I
+don’t want to risk a cramp.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wait till daylight, Frank,” urged Billy; “it
+won’t be long till dawn now, and——”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Frank cut him short abruptly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My brother’s out there somewhere,” he said
+in a sharp, decisive voice, “and I’m going to find
+out what’s happened to him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+A minute later Frank was in the water pushing the balk
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span>
+of timber before him and heading,
+as nearly as he knew how, for the spot
+where the hulk and the motor boat had been
+moored.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was more than half an hour before Billy
+and Pudge saw him again. Then he reappeared,
+chilled through and shivering in every limb. His
+first words almost deprived his companions of
+breath.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’re gone!” he exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What!” the exclamation came from both
+Billy and Pudge simultaneously. They guessed
+by some sort of intuition what Frank referred to.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, they’re both gone,” repeated Frank;
+“the <em>Betsy Jane</em> and the motor boat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Frank?”
+inquired Billy, unwilling to believe the extent
+of the catastrophe that had overtaken them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m as sure that they’re gone as I am that I
+am standing here,” was the reply. “I cruised
+about on my log for quite a radius, and couldn’t
+discover a sign of them. I found the motor
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span>
+boat’s buoy, though. She had been untied by
+some one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But the <em>Betsy Jane</em>? Schooners and succotash!
+The <em>Betsy Jane</em>!” broke in Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gone, too,” Frank’s voice broke, “but I
+wouldn’t care about either if I only knew what
+had become of Harry.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on up to the hut and we’ll have some
+hot coffee and talk it over,” said Billy, who saw
+that Frank, besides being almost numb with cold,
+was half crazy at the mystery of Harry’s fate.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank suffered himself to be led up to the
+hut and the rest of the night was passed in speculation
+as to the fate of the missing boy. All
+three of the lads were pretty sure that the two
+Daniels had had a hand in the night’s work somehow,
+but they were far from guessing what had
+actually occurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+Soon after daylight the wireless began working.
+Dr. Perkins notified them from Portland
+that he expected to arrive that afternoon at
+Motthaven, and wished them to meet him. Frank
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span>
+found some relief for his wrought-up feelings
+in informing the inventor of what had occurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Will charter fast boat and be there with all
+speed,” came the reply through the air; “make
+the best of it till I come. Am confident that everything
+will come out all right.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And with this message the “marooned” trio on
+the island had to be content. The day was passed
+in making a careful survey of the island to discover,
+if possible, some trace of the marauders.
+But none was to be found. The tide had even
+obliterated any footmarks they might have left
+in the damp sand. Thoroughly disheartened and
+miserable, the boys ate a scanty lunch and then
+sat down to await the arrival of Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was sundown when a fast motor boat appeared
+to the southward, cleaving the water at a
+rapid rate. A quarter of an hour later Dr. Perkins
+was hearing from the boys’ own lips the
+strange story of their adventures of the past day
+and night.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII.—THE DERELICT DESTROYER.</h2>
+<p>
+Assuredly it was a surprising sight that greeted
+the eyes of Harry and Ben Stubbs as the latter
+pulled the skiff around the point. Not half a
+mile away lay a dull, gray-colored craft like a
+gunboat, with the Stars and Stripes floating from
+her stern. From her bow a puff of smoke was
+drifting away, showing that she had been the
+craft that had fired the shot which had aroused
+them.
+</p>
+<p>
+But what could she be doing? Above all, why
+had the shot been fired? Harry’s eyes furnished
+the answer as he saw that part of the rail of the
+schooner was missing, a jagged break showing
+where it had been torn away.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great guns!” shouted Ben, “they’ve bin firin’
+at your old hulk.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he spoke there was a flash from the side
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span>
+of the lead-colored craft, and a projectile shrieked
+by above the pair in the boat, causing them to
+duck involuntarily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cracky!” shouted Harry, “I’ve got it. That
+craft is a derelict destroyer. One of Uncle Sam’s
+craft whose duty it is to put obstructions to navigation
+out of the way.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re right, boy, and they are bent on sending
+that there <em>Betsy Jane</em> to the bottom.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We must stop them,” ejaculated Harry excitedly;
+“that schooner is wanted by Mr. Perkins
+to use in his experiments. That’s why he had
+the runway built. We must signal them somehow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No need to, lad. See, here comes a boat.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sure enough, as he spoke a cutter was lowered
+from the warlike-looking vessel’s side, and before long,
+impelled by muscular arms, it was flying
+over the water toward the hulk.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pull round and meet them,” suggested Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Ben was already doing that very thing.
+So fast did the government cutter approach that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span>
+just as the skiff was rounding the stern of the
+ill-used <em>Betsy Jane</em>, the former craft, with a
+dapper young officer in the stern, was drawing
+alongside the hulk.
+</p>
+<p>
+The astonishment of the officer was great when
+Harry explained matters.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s lucky that I decided to make an examination
+into the effect of the shots already fired before
+I finished her up,” he laughed. “I am in
+command of the United States derelict destroyer
+<em>Seneca</em>, yonder. We’ve just despatched an old
+hulk some miles out at sea, and when, on our return
+down the coast, we saw your old hull, we
+thought it was a good chance to try out a new
+kind of gun we have to despatch these menaces
+to navigation.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m glad we heard your first shot in time to
+explain matters,” said Harry; “this craft belongs
+to Dr. Perkins, the aëronautical inventor, who
+wishes to use it in some experiments. As I told
+you, I unfortunately drifted to sea in it when
+some rascals cut the rope.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The officer sympathized to the full with Harry
+and offered to give him a spark plug for his
+motor boat from a supply carried for a similar
+craft on board the <em>Seneca</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But,” he continued, “I’ve got a better plan
+than that. I’m bound down the coast. I know
+Dr. Perkins slightly and should be glad to do him
+a service. Why not accept a tow from me? I’ll
+get you to Brig Island by nightfall anyway, and
+that’s much quicker than you could tow this hulk
+with the motor boat, even if you <em>could</em> get her
+off the sand.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry gladly agreed to this arrangement. A
+line was made fast to the <em>Betsy Jane</em> and affixed
+to the towing bitts of the derelict destroyer. The
+tide by this time had turned, and after a short
+struggle the <em>Betsy Jane</em> once more floated in deep
+water.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know if this is exactly regular,” remarked
+the young officer in command, when the
+hulk lay bobbing astern of the trim and trig government
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span>
+craft, “but I guess it’s all in the line of
+duty. So come on board.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry and Ben were in the skiff alongside the
+<em>Betsy Jane</em> when this offer was made.
+</p>
+<p>
+Without hesitation Harry stepped upon the
+companionway. He turned to Ben, and was
+about to bid that veteran adventurer good-by,
+with a promise to visit Barren Island in the near
+future, when, to his astonishment, Ben calmly
+hitched his skiff alongside the motor boat and
+stepped up after him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon I’ve had about enough of that
+island,” he said; “I’m a-goin’ to ship with you
+on this cruise if it’s agreeable.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Agreeable?” laughed Harry. “Why, Ben,
+you are as welcome as the flowers in May. But
+haven’t you left a lot of stuff behind on the
+island?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nothing that ’ull hurt. The only other suit
+I own you’ve got on, and funny enough you look
+in it, too,” and Ben chuckled; “as for the hut and
+what grub’s left, and so forth, any one’s welcome
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span>
+to ’em that takes a fancy to ’em. I’ve got a bit
+left in the bank yet, and I guess I can afford a
+new outfit anyway, so heave ahead, Mister Skipper,
+as soon as you’re ready.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The officer, who had watched this scene in some
+astonishment, broke into a laugh.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I see you are an individual of impulse,” he
+said, “but if you want to go along it will spare
+my sending a man on board the schooner to help
+our young friend.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, then, it’s an arrangement that’s agreeable
+to all parties,” rejoined Ben, lighting his
+pipe; “so that’s all settled.”
+</p>
+<p>
+A short time later the <em>Seneca</em> moved ahead, at
+first slowly, and then faster, while the wandering
+<em>Betsy Jane</em> followed docilely after her
+through the now calm sea. True to Lieut. MacAllister’s
+promise, they were off Brig Island by
+sunset. As deep water extended close inshore,
+the derelict destroyer was enabled to tow the
+hulk almost up to the boys’ “front door,” so to
+speak, and from the beach a little group set up
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span>
+a loud cheer as the <em>Betsy Jane’s</em> spare anchor
+rattled down and she swung at rest.
+</p>
+<p>
+The presence of the little party to witness the
+arrival is due to the fact that Lieut. MacAllister,
+who knew from Harry that there was a wireless
+on the island, had kept his operator busy sending
+“bulletins” to Dr. Perkins all the way down
+the coast; and so, when first the <em>Seneca’s</em> smoke
+streaked the horizon, all was ready to give the
+returned wanderer a big reception.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Betsy Jane</em>, having been safely anchored,
+the <em>Seneca</em>, with three toots of her siren, departed
+on her way, while Harry and Ben lost no time in
+tumbling into the skiff and rowing ashore. To
+describe what took place then would take up a
+lot of space without giving any clearer picture
+of the reunion that each of you can imagine for
+himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Readers of the former volumes of this series
+know how highly the Boy Aviators regarded Ben
+Stubbs, and after a short conversation with him
+Dr. Perkins came to share their good opinion of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span>
+the rugged old adventurer. It would be impossible
+to tell with accuracy how many times that
+night Harry’s story was told, and how many
+times Frank and the others repeated the tale of
+their anxious hours while he was missing. The
+first wireless flash from the <em>Seneca</em>, Frank described
+as “the best thing that ever happened.”
+This opinion the others heartily echoed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Dr. Perkins, as at last they made
+ready to “turn in,” “all is well that ends well,
+and to-morrow I have an announcement of some
+interest to make to you lads. From my inspection
+of the work done so far on the ‘<em>Sea Eagle</em>,’
+as I have decided to christen her, I think that
+within a few days we can take her on her trial
+trip.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Anchors and aëroplanes!” shouted Pudge, in
+high glee, “I book passage right now!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I—and I—and I,” came from the others,
+while Ben Stubbs inquired plaintively if there
+would be room for him.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX.—THE FLIGHT OF THE “SEA EAGLE.”</h2>
+<p>
+Having already given a brief description of
+Dr. Perkins’ <em>Sea Eagle</em>, it would be wearisome to
+dwell in detail on all that was done during the
+next week to put that craft in shape for the final
+tests, upon which so much depended. It may
+be said here, though, that besides a visit paid to
+Motthaven in an effort to secure the apprehension
+of the two Daniels, a search was prosecuted
+for the missing dinghy. Neither mission proved
+successful.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Daniels, having discovered that Harry
+was on board the <em>Betsy Jane</em> after they cut that
+craft loose, had vanished from the little community.
+As for the dinghy, it was supposed that
+they had taken that small craft with them. At
+any rate, it was impossible to get any news of
+their whereabouts on shore. This may be attributed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span>
+to a distinct prejudice felt by the fishing
+community against the dwellers on Brig Island.
+Your down-easter is inquisitive to a degree, and
+the secrecy under which operations on the island
+were carried on was felt as a distinct affront to
+the little town. So therefore, although the local
+authorities promised every co-operation in seeking
+out the Daniels and punishing them for their
+outrageous conduct, it may be doubted if the efforts
+went much further than the mere assurance.
+</p>
+<p>
+But after all, in the rush of interesting work
+that was now on hand, the Daniels were almost
+forgotten. The <em>Betsy Jane</em> had been towed round
+into the nearer cove, where she could be constantly
+watched, and the motor boat was used in
+the operation, the officer of the derelict destroyer
+having fulfilled his promise to furnish the boys
+with a new spark plug for the engine in place of
+the one taken by the marauders.
+</p>
+<p>
+The morning after Harry’s return to the island
+Dr. Perkins had laid down a systematic plan of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span>
+action. Frank and Harry were assigned to aid
+him in giving the finishing touches to the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, while his son and Billy Barnes were set
+to work with axes to clear a sort of runway down
+to the beach. Both Billy and Pudge would much
+rather have had a hand in the mechanical part
+of the work, but they pluckily went ahead on
+their designated duty and stuck to it till a broad
+path had been cleared from the summit of the
+island to the margin of the beach.
+</p>
+<p>
+When this “roadway” through the brush had
+been cleared, two lines of planking, firmly nailed
+to stout supports, were run down on each side
+of it, forming a sort of railway, similar to those
+from which vessels are launched.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was down this runway that it was designed
+to introduce the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to her initial plunge.
+At last the day arrived when all was complete,
+and the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was pronounced fit for the
+test. During the night before this event not one
+of the boys got more than half his usual allowance
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span>
+of sleep. In fact, it is doubtful if Dr. Perkins
+enjoyed much more repose.
+</p>
+<p>
+By earliest dawn they were out, to find every
+promise of a glorious day. Breakfast that morning
+was a hasty apology for a meal, and hardly
+had it been gulped down before all hands were
+in the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> shed. As has been said, the
+boat-like underbody of the craft had been
+mounted on a wheeled frame before it was assembled.
+All that had to be done then to get
+everything in readiness for the final test was to
+make fast a block and tackle to a stoutly rooted
+tree, and then wheel the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to the top
+of the inclined runway.
+</p>
+<p>
+When the odd-looking craft was safely poised
+on the top of the rails the loose end of the tackle
+was made fast to the stern of the substructure,
+and Billy, Pudge and Harry were delegated to
+“belay” the rope as required. Frank and Dr.
+Perkins seated themselves in the “boat,” and at
+the words “Let her go!” the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in her
+wheeled frame began her descent down the runway. By
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span>
+means of the tackle the three boys at
+the summit of the incline easily controlled the
+novel craft’s descent, stopping from time to time
+while Dr. Perkins and Frank made a survey to
+see that all was going well.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bunting and buttercakes!” grumbled Pudge,
+as the boys alternately “let go” and “hauled in”
+on the tackle, “I thought a launching was more
+of a gala event than this.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess the doctor is too anxious to test out
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to bother with the trimmings,”
+laughed Harry; “it’s <em>results</em> that he’s after.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As a matter of fact, the launching of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> was a very mild affair compared with what
+might have been expected. Had the villagers
+ashore known of it, doubtless a small fleet of
+boats would have been lying off the cove to witness
+it, but it was for that very reason that the
+deepest secrecy had been observed, and that the
+early hour had been chosen. As Dr. Perkins
+said, he “didn’t want any fuss and feathers”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span>
+made over what was merely, after all, an experiment.
+</p>
+<p>
+The rolling glide down the runway was made
+without incident, and at last the bow of the <em>Sea
+Eagle’s</em> “hull” struck the water. A cheer went
+up then that, rang shrill and clear out over the
+calm sea. Even Dr. Perkins joined in the enthusiasm,
+as well he might, for the goal of his
+ambition was in sight at last.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> had been sent on her initial
+voyage without the aëroplane wings or the auxiliary
+lifting bags being attached. It was desired,
+first of all, to try out her qualities as a
+water skimmer. As soon as she was fairly
+afloat, the wheeled carriage on which the descent
+had been made was drawn ashore. Having been
+weighted before the start was made, it of course
+sank under the <em>Sea Eagle</em> when the sea and air
+craft floated, thus allowing it to be reclaimed
+with ease.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Looks like a butterfly with its wings clipped
+off,” commented Billy Barnes as, with the others,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span>
+he hastened to the beach as soon as their task
+was over.
+</p>
+<p>
+Indeed, the odd-shaped hull, with its naked
+frame and two gaunt aërial propellers, did look
+strangely incomplete. But the boys knew that
+the wings were all ready for instant attachment.
+In fact, it was one of the features of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> that the craft was capable of being taken
+to pieces and put together again with very little
+loss of time or labor.
+</p>
+<p>
+As the hydroplane portion of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+floated clear of the weighted frame in which it
+had made its journey to the beach, Frank looked
+inquiringly at the inventor. His hand was on
+the self-starting device which put the powerful
+motor in operation. Dr. Perkins was actually
+pale, and Frank could see that his strong hand
+shook perceptibly as he nodded his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+But he mastered his nervousness quickly, and,
+grasping the steering-wheel in a firm grip, he
+spoke:
+</p>
+<p>
+“You can start up now,” he said.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank turned the starting handle, admitting a
+charge of gas to the cylinders. Then he pressed
+a button and instantly the motor responded with
+a roar and a series of explosions, like those of a
+battery of gatling guns going into action. Having
+started it he admitted gasolene, and adjusted
+the carburetor till the cylinders were all working
+steadily.
+</p>
+<p>
+Close to Dr. Perkins’ hand was a lever. This,
+when moved, “threw in” the clutch connecting
+the motor with the driving mechanism. Directly
+Frank had finished tuning up the motor Dr. Perkins’
+hand reached for the lever. He jerked it
+nervously back. There was a whirr and a buzz,
+as the chains whirled the twin propellers round,
+and at the same instant the <em>Sea Eagle</em> darted forward
+like an arrow from a bow.
+</p>
+<p>
+Faster and faster she went, getting up speed
+with seemingly marvelous rapidity. But instead
+of driving deeper into the water, under the
+pressure of the aërial propellers which rushed
+her forward through the atmosphere, the faster
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span>
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was driven the more lightly did
+the craft skim the surface of the water, till at
+top speed—2,000 revolutions a minute—her bottom
+barely touched the water. This was owing
+to the peculiar construction of the hull, which
+was designed so as to “plane” the water in exactly
+the manner it did.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cheer after cheer broke from the lads on shore
+as they saw the swift craft dart off, slicing the
+tops of the small waves like a cream skimmer.
+Dr. Perkins circumnavigated the island three
+times before he gave the signal to Frank to slow
+down. Then, releasing the clutch, the inventor
+allowed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to come to rest, with its
+bow almost touching the beach.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now we will have a weight test,” he announced;
+“come on, boys.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The lads ashore surely needed no second invitation.
+Without bothering to remove shoes or
+stockings they waded into the water and out to
+the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> side. In less time than it takes
+to tell it they were swarming over the side of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span>
+cockpit and struggling for positions near the engine.
+But Dr. Perkins made them arrange themselves
+so that their weight would be evenly distributed.
+Ben Stubbs and Harry sat in the extreme
+stern, while Pudge and Billy occupied opposite
+seats amidships.
+</p>
+<p>
+This done, off darted the <em>Sea Eagle</em> once more,
+and speedily set at rest all doubts as to her capability
+to “plane,” or skim the water, under an
+added load.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s like riding on a floating island over a sea
+of raspberry ice cream soda,” declared Billy,
+when he was asked later to describe his sensations.
+</p>
+<p>
+But a severer test awaited the <em>Sea Eagle</em>,
+namely, the trying out of her capacity actually
+to rise into the air. The craft was run partially
+ashore, and the great wings bolted in place and
+the stay wires adjusted. The stay wires were
+tightened by turn buckles till they were taut as
+fiddle strings, assuring stability of the wings.
+But in addition the wings were, of course, partially
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span>
+supported on the light but strong skeleton
+framework before noticed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Much to the disappointment of the others, only
+Frank and Harry Chester and Dr. Perkins were
+to participate in the flying trials. But they took
+it all in good part, being promised rides later if
+the tests were successful. As before, the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, after she had been backed off and the propellers
+started, skimmed along the top of the
+water like a flying fish. But all at once the
+watchers on shore saw her rise bodily from the
+water and soar upward into the air. Higher and
+higher went the craft, gliding like a gull through
+the ether. It was an inspiring sight, and a perfect
+tornado of yells broke from Ben Stubbs,
+Billy and Pudge. But those on board the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> could not hear the sounds of enthusiasm
+above the roaring of the motor.
+</p>
+<p>
+Under Dr. Perkins’ skillful guidance the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> climbed the aërial staircase till a height
+shown by the barograph to be almost 4,000 feet
+had been attained.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now to test the buoyancy apparatus,” cried
+the doctor suddenly. “Shut off power, Frank.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank, who knew what was coming, obeyed
+the order and turned a valve admitting the pure
+hydrogen gas from one of the cylinders into the
+buoyancy devices. Instantly the upper wings
+swelled, till they resembled puffed-out mattresses
+more than anything else, and the “volplaning”
+downward movement was perceptibly checked.
+But, setting the descending device, Dr. Perkins
+headed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> for the water, and, skillfully
+manipulating the craft, landed it as lightly
+as a drifting feather on the water by the hull of
+the <em>Betsy Jane</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now came a further trial of the capabilities of
+the wonderful new craft which, so far, had
+proven such a success. Dr. Perkins set the planes
+in a rising position and allowed the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+to hover above the <em>Betsy Jane</em>, like the bird for
+which the aërial craft had been named. Then
+suddenly he began a rapid descent, landing finally
+on the very summit of the inclined runway before mentioned.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span>
+The sides of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+were equipped with large metal hooks, which
+were hastily thrown out by the boys and attached
+to four “eyes” arranged to receive them.
+</p>
+<p>
+When this had been done the suction pump
+was set to work, and the inflated wings emptied
+of the gas, which was forced back into its receiver,
+and the valve closed. It was calculated
+that less than two per cent of the gas was lost
+during the process. The <em>Sea Eagle</em> was now once
+more a simple hydroplane, without any buoyancy
+device.
+</p>
+<p>
+At a word from Dr. Perkins the hooks which
+had held the machine in place were disengaged,
+and instantly the craft began to glide down the
+runway. Half way down the engine was started,
+and when the graceful craft reached the abrupt
+end of the incline, the <em>Sea Eagle</em> went soaring
+off into space like a huge white-winged bird.
+This test was regarded by Dr. Perkins as the
+most important, for it proved the entire practicability
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span>
+of launching the <em>Sea Eagle</em> from a ship
+far out on the ocean.
+</p>
+<p>
+After circling in the air a few times the tests
+were concluded by a rapid drop toward the earth
+right above the summit of the island. Just as it
+seemed as if the new craft must end her career
+by being dashed to bits against the construction
+shed, a skillful twist of the steering device sent
+her soaring upward once more. Two more
+swinging aërial loops were described, and then,
+with hardly a jar or vibration, the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+was brought to rest by her inventor, almost in
+front of the shed where she had been assembled.
+</p>
+<p>
+As the thrilling and wonderful trip was concluded,
+the boys came pressing about Dr. Perkins,
+showering congratulations and good wishes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, one could fly across the ocean in such
+a craft,” declared Frank enthusiastically.
+</p>
+<p>
+The others laughed, but, to their astonishment,
+Dr. Perkins looked perfectly serious.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I have a long trip in view,” he said, “a flight
+that will test every wire and bolt in the <em>Sea</em>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span>
+<em>Eagle’s</em> construction. I did not announce this
+before for I wished first to see if everything
+worked satisfactorily.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No doubt about that,” said Billy Barnes with
+enthusiasm. He had been dodging about the
+great flying machine, taking photos from every
+possible angle.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No,” admitted Dr. Perkins; “I must say that
+so far the <em>Sea Eagle</em> is all that I could desire.
+But the final test will put that beyond the shadow
+of a doubt. Do you boys wish to undertake a
+long trip?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cookies and cucumbers! Do we!” roared
+Pudge, as the others pressed eagerly about to
+hear the unveiling of the doctor’s plan.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X.—“C. Q. D.!”</h2>
+<p>
+But they were compelled to curb their impatience
+till that evening after supper, for the doctor
+set every one busily to work “stabling” the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> and attending to the engines after the
+hard test they had undergone. Every part was
+carefully gone over, and it was found that despite
+the strain of the novel craft’s first try-out, nothing
+save a few minor adjustments were required.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, dad,” said Pudge, after the dishes had
+been washed and Ben had his pipe going, and
+the others were perched on the edge of the lower
+bunks, like so many birds on a rail, “now, then,
+dad, we are ready to hear your plans for that
+cruise.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins smiled.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m afraid, my boy,” he said, “that you are
+in for a disappointment. While I thoroughly
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span>
+believe the <em>Sea Eagle</em> is capable of conveying our
+whole party through almost anything, I am unwilling
+to place too great a burden on her at her
+first long-distance trial.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Pudge’s face lengthened.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oceans and octopuses!” he groaned, “I s’pose
+I’m to be left behind, as usual.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m afraid it will be necessary,” was the reply;
+“you see, there will only be room under my
+present plan for experienced navigators. But
+not to keep you in suspense any longer, my present
+plan is to cruise down the coast to Florida,
+round that peninsula, and then fly up to New
+Orleans, and then possibly I might test out the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> still further on a flight up the Mississippi.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wow! And we’re to miss all that?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not <em>all</em> of it, Pudge,” smiled the doctor. “I
+was planning to send you and Billy on ahead to
+meet us at New Orleans and make arrangements
+for our arrival there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cookies and catamounts! That’s not so bad.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span>
+I’ve always longed to see New Orleans. But,
+then, would you take us with you up the Mississippi?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If we go—yes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look a-here,” struck in Ben’s bass voice at
+this point, “I don’t want to butt in, or nothing
+like that, doctor; but this here is a cruise that
+just suits me. Would you have any objection
+if I went along with ther boys ter New Orleans?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I hadn’t thought of it,” confessed Dr.
+Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You see, I’ve got some partic’lar business
+down that way,” said Ben, with a portentous
+wink at Harry; “ain’t I, Harry?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The boy addressed instantly guessed that Ben
+referred to the supposed treasure trove lying at
+the bottom of the Black Bayou. Now, in the
+rush of events following Harry’s return from his
+strange cruise on the <em>Betsy Jane</em>, he had quite
+forgotten about Raoul Duval’s map. But now
+it flashed back on him, and the recollection caused
+him to flush with excitement.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins looked puzzled, while a glance of
+intelligence shot between the grizzled old adventurer
+and the boy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have I got your leave to tell about the sunken
+steamer?” inquired Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure. Heave ahead, my boy,” was the hearty
+answer; “I was never much of a hand at spinning
+a yarn.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pirates and petticoats! What’s all this about
+a yarn and a sunken ship?” demanded Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sounds like some fresh adventure. Anything
+like the Buena Ventura cruise?” asked Billy
+Barnes, referring, of course, to their experiences
+in the Sargasso Sea.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I hope not,” laughed Harry. “No, this is a
+much tamer affair,” he continued. “Ben, here,
+thinks that he knows of a craft sunk in a bayou
+off the Mississippi, on board of which is a small
+fortune in gold dust and black pearls.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gold dust and black pearls!” cried Billy
+Barnes. “Wow! that sounds like a regular
+story.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Suppose we let Harry heave ahead, as Ben
+calls it, and tell us what all this is about,” suggested
+Frank quietly. But his eyes were shining.
+He knew that what Harry was about to communicate
+must be of deep interest from the manner
+in which the boy had spoken.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, let us hear the story,” said Dr. Perkins;
+“since we plan to be down in that region, anything
+of interest to be investigated will add to
+the pleasure of the trip.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Thereupon Harry, without further delay,
+plunged into the narrative as Ben had related
+it to him. He was interrupted from time to time
+by excited exclamations, but at last he finished
+his narration and then, turning to Dr. Perkins,
+he said:
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you think of it, sir?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aye, aye,” growled out Ben, “supposin’ the
+yarn is true, have I got a legal right to the
+stuff?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Undoubtedly, if you have papers assigning
+the claim to you,” said Mr. Perkins, after a moment’s
+thought.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I’ve got them fast enough. I was goin’
+to chuck ’em away, but I thought better of it.
+Glad I did now, but you see I never thought I’d
+have a chance to go down there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben reached into his pocket and drew out a battered,
+brown leather wallet. From it he produced
+Raoul Duval’s promise to deed him his (Duval’s)
+interest in the supposed treasure chest, providing
+the loan Ben had made the mining man’s son was
+not repaid. He handed the document to Dr. Perkins,
+who perused it with knitted brows.
+</p>
+<p>
+“This certainly appears to give you a legal
+claim to whatever may be of value in the late
+Duval’s effects,” he said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then you think it is worth looking into?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By all means. While the story sounds fanciful
+to a degree, it is not much more so than
+plenty of recorded cases. At all events, no harm
+can be done by trying to locate the wreck, and
+it may be the means of rehabilitating your fortunes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I dunno what that means,” grinned Ben, “but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span>
+if it signifies that I’m to get some money out
+of the cruise, I’m willing right now to split it up
+any way it suits you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We can talk about that later,” said Dr. Perkins,
+with a smile at the old man’s enthusiasm;
+“now would you mind letting me have a look at
+that map to which Harry has referred?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here it be,” grunted Ben, once more diving
+into the wallet and producing the map that Harry
+had looked over on Barren Island.
+</p>
+<p>
+“At any rate, this looks definite enough,” declared
+Dr. Perkins after a careful examination
+of it. “Of course, as this Duval appears to be a
+thorough rascal, he may have ‘cooked this up,’
+as the saying goes, in order to induce you to
+make him a loan. But certain things about it
+make me believe that it may be genuine. I recall
+reading some time ago a newspaper account of
+mysteries of the Mississippi, and among them
+was an account of the serious disaster to the
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em>, so, at any rate, that part
+of the story is authentic enough.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Meanin’ it’s true,” murmured Ben. “Waal,
+if you’ll help me we’ll soon find out the truth of
+it, or otherwise.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“As I said,” rejoined Dr. Perkins, “I had intended
+to cruise up the Mississippi from New
+Orleans. What you have told us furnishes us
+with a distinct object in making the trip, and,”
+he added with a smile, “I suppose the spice of
+adventure about it does not displease the lads
+here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank was about to reply when, from the wireless
+table, there came a queer buzzing sound from
+an instrument which the boy had connected with
+his detector.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hullo! some one is sending out a message,”
+he exclaimed, “and our wires have caught it.
+Wonder what it can be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The boy rose and went over to the wireless
+table. Seating himself on the stool in front of
+the instruments he adjusted the “phones” and
+began putting his variable condenser in tune to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>
+catch whatever message was pulsing through the
+air.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s coming?” demanded Harry, as the instruments
+began to crackle and snap.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t know yet,” spoke Frank, again changing
+the capacity of the condenser; “looks as
+if——”
+</p>
+<p>
+He ceased speaking suddenly. Sliding his
+hand across the table he made an adjustment to
+catch longer sound waves. Instantly a hail of
+aërial dots and dashes came pattering against
+his ear drums, like rain on a window pane.
+</p>
+<p>
+With startling suddenness Frank sensed the
+meaning of the storm of desperate flashes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“C-Q-D! C-Q-D! C-Q-D!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Some one out at sea is calling us in distress!”
+he cried loudly. The others, brim full of excitement,
+rose and crowded about him. But Frank
+waved them back.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No questions yet, please!” he said sharply,
+and then bent all his faculties to catching the
+voice out of the black night.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI.—“GOOD LUCK!”</h2>
+<p>
+The silence in the hut was absolute as Frank
+bent low over his instruments. Even Pudge was
+subdued for once. There is something thrillingly
+dramatic to the most phlegmatic of temperaments
+in the idea of a wireless call for aid. Across unknown
+miles the message comes winging through
+the air—an appeal out of space.
+</p>
+<p>
+Of course, the others could not catch what was
+coming, for the whisper of the wireless waves
+sounds faint and shadowy even to one with the
+“phones” clasped to his ears. But Frank’s manner
+showed plainly enough that, whatever was
+winging its way to his organs of hearing, was
+exciting to the last degree.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly the boy switched to his transmitting
+apparatus. With his helix he began attuning the
+length of his sparks, while the snake-like blue
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span>
+flame hissed and crackled across the “high-efficiency”
+spark gap. It looked like a living thing
+of lambent fire, as it writhed and screamed in
+response to the pressure on the key.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s wanted? Where are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+This was the message that went speeding out
+on the air waves from the aërials above the hut.
+</p>
+<p>
+“This is the yacht <em>Wanderer</em>, from New York
+to Rocktown. We have struck a derelict and are
+leaking badly. Who are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A station on Brig Island, about four miles
+at sea from Motthaven. Where are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The latter question was unanswered for the
+time being. Instead came another query:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have you any means by which you can get
+to our assistance? We are in dire peril.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We will try to aid you. But what is your position?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wait. I’ll look at the chart.”
+</p>
+<p>
+There came a pause, during which Frank rapidly
+detailed what he had heard to the eager
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span>
+group of listeners. But in the midst of it the
+unknown sender broke in once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We are about twenty miles to the southeast
+of you, on an almost straight course. Can keep
+afloat only a few hours longer. Can you get tug
+from the mainland?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Impossible,” flashed back Frank, “but will do
+what we can. Are you at anchor?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, but the drift is very little. We are off
+soundings. Can you come to our aid?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank’s fingers pressed down on the key firmly.
+Rapidly he sent this message pulsating:
+</p>
+<p>
+“How many on board?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Three. Owner, a friend and a hand.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right. Standby!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good-by, and hurry,” came out of the night,
+and then—silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank disconnected his instruments and turned
+to the others. Rapidly he detailed the impending
+tragedy out there in the darkness.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can’t we get to them in the motor boat?” demanded
+Harry breathlessly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank shook his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not in the time we have. They can’t keep
+afloat much longer, recollect. What can be done?
+Is there no way we can help them?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, there is.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The words came quietly but in a decided tone
+from Dr. Perkins. Frank was the first to guess
+the import of the speech.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The <em>Sea Eagle</em>!” he exclaimed excitedly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins nodded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. Here is our chance to test her in the
+service of humanity. She is ready for flight this
+instant.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But in the darkness? How can we pick up
+this yacht?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By the searchlight. Most likely the yacht has
+rockets. When she sees our searchlight she will
+send some up. That will give us her bearings.
+The general location of the craft we know.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Are we all to go?” demanded Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hardly,” rejoined his father, slipping into
+an overcoat, for the night was somewhat chilly,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span>
+though the air was calm. “Frank and Harry, I
+need you two. You others await our return.
+Have hot coffee and food ready, as the survivors
+may be in need of nourishment.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aye, aye, sir,” responded Ben; “and now, sir,
+if I may give a bit of advice, lose no time in getting
+away. I’ve been in some sea disasters myself,
+and sometimes every second counts.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re right, Stubbs,” ejaculated Dr. Perkins.
+“Boys, get the <em>Sea Eagle</em> ready. I’ll bring along
+the searchlight.”
+</p>
+<p>
+While Frank and Harry hastened on their errand,
+Dr. Perkins got the searchlight out of its
+locker. It was a small but powerful one, constructed
+so as to fit into a socket on the <em>Sea
+Eagle’s</em> “bow.” Its light was supplied from a
+small dynamo connected with the engine of the
+sea-and-air craft. By the time the doctor was
+ready the <em>Sea Eagle</em> had been wheeled out of her
+shed, and Frank gave a sharp hail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All ready, doctor!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“With you in a moment, my boy,” was the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span>
+response, as the inventor hastened out into the
+darkness.
+</p>
+<p>
+The outlines of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> loomed up gray
+and ghostly in the gloom. Only a tiny speck of
+light showed in her bow by the steering wheel,
+where a minute electric bulb shed light on the
+compass. This light was obtained from a storage
+battery of peculiarly light construction, connected
+with the dynamo before mentioned.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys had clambered on board as soon as
+the airship had been wheeled out of its shed.
+They extended their hands to Dr. Perkins and
+helped him on board. The searchlight was put
+in place and its wires connected to the storage
+battery. A snap of a switch and a sharp pencil
+of light cut the night. The appliance worked
+to perfection.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, then,” said the doctor, as he took the
+wheel, “the less time we lose, the better. Frank,
+you had better apply the buoyancy apparatus, as
+we must make an abrupt rise to clear the trees.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why not launch from the runway?” inquired
+Frank; “wouldn’t that be quicker?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s right. I think it would. Head the
+prow round for the rails.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Willing hands pushed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> around,
+for on her ball-bearing supporting wheels she
+handled very easily, despite her great weight.
+</p>
+<p>
+Presently the craft was poised at the summit
+of the incline, ready for her rush downward.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Give her power!” cried the doctor.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank seized the self-starting lever, and gave
+it a twirl. A pressure of his forefinger on the
+button followed, and almost simultaneously the
+motor began to thunder and roar.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Right here!” cried Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right. Hold tight. I’m going to apply
+full power.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins jerked back the clutch lever as
+he spoke. There was a jarring shock, and then
+a downward rush through the night, the searchlight
+cutting a blazing white path through the
+blackness. Down, down they raced at terrific
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>
+speed. Suddenly the jarring movement ceased.
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> appeared to glide upward as if
+drawn skyward by invisible ropes. As the craft
+left the rails, and began soaring to the stars that
+looked quietly down on the exciting scene, a
+sound was borne upward to the aërial voyagers.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good-by.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And then an instant later in Ben’s stentorian
+tones:
+</p>
+<p>
+“So long, mates! Go-o-o-d luck!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII.—THROUGH THE NIGHT.</h2>
+<p>
+Up and out into the night winged the great sea-and-air
+craft, the powerful motors working without
+a skip, and the propellers beating the air with
+a noise like the drone of a mastadonic bee—or
+more appropriately, night beetle. Above shone
+the stars, steady points of brightness in the dark
+blue canopy of heavens; below stretched the
+silent, empty sea, heaving gently. The air was
+calm and still, and the <em>Sea Eagle</em> cleaved her way
+through it powerfully. Dr. Perkins set the course
+at due southeast, and kept a careful eye on the
+compass.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What speed are we making?” shouted Frank
+presently.
+</p>
+<p>
+The inventor glanced at the aërial speed meter,
+a device of his own invention.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Close to fifty,” he shouted back, for, owing
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span>
+to the roar of the engines and propellers, it was
+necessary to raise the voice in speaking to any
+one at a distance.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then we should be in the vicinity in half an
+hour?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; that is unless——”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Dr. Perkins broke off abruptly. The <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> had now attained a height of some five
+hundred feet, at which altitude he intended to
+keep the craft till they reached the vicinity of
+the disabled yacht.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cause of the sudden breaking off of his
+shouted remarks was this: Without the slightest
+warning the <em>Sea Eagle</em> gave a sickening dip
+downward, and rushed toward the sea; or rather,
+to those in the falling ship, it seemed as if the
+sea was racing up devouringly toward them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gracious, what’s happened?” shouted Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Frank was too busy with the engine to answer
+just then.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Power! Give me lots of power!” yelled Dr.
+Perkins.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+But although Frank instantly opened up the
+motor to its full capacity of two thousand revolutions
+a minute, the downward rush still continued.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The sea! We’ll be plunged into the sea!”
+cried Harry, in alarm, gripping a side support.
+</p>
+<p>
+Indeed there appeared to be good cause for his
+apprehension, for the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was falling like
+a stone flung into space. All this, of course, took
+place in far less time than it takes to describe
+or to read it. In fact, hardly had Harry shouted
+his fears before the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> “hull”—as we
+must call the hydroplane part of the craft—struck
+the water, and a huge cloud of spray flew
+high on either side.
+</p>
+<p>
+But instead of diving, the <em>Sea Eagle</em> shot forward
+over the waves, gliding over their tops for
+some time before Frank shut off the motor.
+Even then such was the “shooting” velocity
+gained, that the <em>Sea Eagle</em> still continued to scoot
+along until the young engineer, in response to
+Dr. Perkins’ instructions, reversed her propellers,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span>
+and thus brought the craft to a speedy standstill.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What on earth happened?” demanded Frank
+anxiously, as the <em>Sea Eagle</em> lay still, bobbing up
+and down on the gentle swell.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We struck an air pocket. An empty hole in
+space where there was no ether to support us,”
+explained Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gracious; I thought we were goners,” cried
+Harry, still a little shaky over the fearful sensation
+of the fall.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Had the <em>Sea Eagle</em> been of different construction
+we should have dived as straight to the bottom
+as a loon,” said the inventor, “but the spoonlike
+construction of the bow allowed me to handle
+her so that, instead of the impulse of the fall
+being downward, it was diverted into a forward
+movement along the surface.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Shall we go up again?” asked Frank, after a
+hasty examination had been made to ascertain if
+anything had parted or snapped under the strain
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span>
+of the suddenly arrested tumble through the air
+pocket.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. We had better lose as little time as possible,”
+was the rejoinder. “If you are ready,
+start the engine up, and we will try a flight from
+the surface of the water.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You want full power?” asked Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; but start up gently at first, gradually
+increasing to top velocity. I think, however, that
+we shall leave the water at about 1,500 revolutions
+a minute.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The next minute the roar of the newly started
+engine prevented further conversation. In order
+to develop every ounce of power of which the
+motor was capable Frank had opened the muffler
+cut-out, and the uproar was terrific. Spurts of
+greenish flame spouted from the exhausts, and
+the acrid smell of burning oil and gasolene filled
+the air. To any one less accustomed than the
+Boy Aviators to the uproar of aërial motors, the
+noise would have been alarming to say the least.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span>
+They, however, were too much used to such
+scenes to pay any attention to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Faster and faster the <em>Sea Eagle</em> sped over the
+waves, till her keel barely touched the tips of
+the swells. Then suddenly the jerky motion
+ceased, and the craft, buoyed by its wings, began
+to soar upward in a steadily increasing gradient.
+Before ten minutes had passed they were once
+more on an even keel at a five-hundred-feet altitude,
+and bearing steadily for the southwest.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank looked at his watch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We ought to be getting pretty close to that
+yacht by now,” he remarked to Harry, who had
+seated himself at his side, and was assisting in
+attending to the lubrication and watching of the
+motor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll keep a sharp lookout,” rejoined Harry;
+“they surely ought to hear the noise of our motor
+and send up a rocket or wave lights, or something,
+if they are in the vicinity.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s just what I think. Keep your eyes
+open while I watch the engine.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry peered out into the night, but as far as
+he could see nothing appeared but the reflection
+of the stars in the water to relieve its blackness.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I can’t see anything yet,” he said, after a
+while.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just keep on looking,” rejoined Frank;
+“there’s a chance that they may have drifted
+from the position they gave us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, in any case it would have been impossible
+for us to fly direct to the spot,” rejoined
+Harry; “this thing is a good deal like looking
+for a needle in a haystack, to my way of thinking.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m not so sure of that. If they are anywhere
+within five or six miles they must hear the
+beat of our motor.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wonder why Dr. Perkins doesn’t switch on
+the searchlight. Hullo, there it goes now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As Harry spoke, a fan-shaped ray of brilliant
+white light cut the night in front of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, like a radiant sword. Hither and thither
+it swept over the dark sea; but it revealed nothing.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span>
+All at once Dr. Perkins shut the searchlight
+off.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If they have seen it they will reply in some
+way,” he shouted in explanation to the boys.
+“Keep a bright lookout for an answer. I’ll keep
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> swinging in circles. We have
+been doing thirty miles an hour, and even allowing
+for the delay when we struck the air pocket
+we ought to be in the disabled yacht’s vicinity
+by this time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As the searchlight was extinguished Harry
+peered out into the darkness with straining eyes.
+Suddenly he gave a shout and clutched Frank’s
+arm.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s that,” he shouted, “that light off
+there to the south?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a lantern,” cried Frank; “somebody’s
+waving it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins confirmed Frank’s supposition,
+and the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, on her errand of rescue, was
+headed for the swinging pin-point of light in
+the distance.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII.—A TWENTIETH-CENTURY RESCUE.</h2>
+<p>
+As he flew his craft in the direction of the
+feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more
+switched on the searchlight. Its comforting
+beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its
+swaying and centered on a strange sight. As a
+dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single
+point by the calcium light, so the search rays
+concentrated themselves on a striking picture of
+distress at sea.
+</p>
+<p>
+Framed in the circle of white light the boys
+could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up
+to the rails in the water. At any rate nothing
+of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen,
+while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched
+the figures of three men. One of these had been
+swinging the lantern, but he ceased as the bright
+light from the <em>Sea Eagle</em> bathed the group in its
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span>
+rays. One single mast arose high above the
+pitching hull, and from it could be seen wires
+strung down to the cabin top. Evidently this
+was the wireless apparatus which had been the
+means of bringing the Boy Aviators and their
+friend to the rescue.
+</p>
+<p>
+The yacht could not have been more than fifty
+feet in length—a very small craft to be equipped
+with wireless; but her owner, if he was on board,
+must have been congratulating himself at that
+very moment on his wise precaution.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was but a few minutes after the searchlight
+had first revealed the <em>Wanderer</em> and her distressed
+company that the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was swinging
+in a graceful, birdlike circle in the air above
+the sinking craft.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank seized up a small megaphone, which
+formed part of the sea and sky ship’s equipment.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ahoy! Aboard the yacht!” he cried.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ahoy!” came back the cry, with a note of incredulous
+wonder in it, as well there might be,
+considering the extraordinary circumstances.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Are you the folks we talked with by wireless?”
+called Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The very same,” was the shouted reply, “but
+who are you? Can you get us off this? The
+ship won’t last much longer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll get you off all right,” exclaimed Frank
+comfortingly, and as he spoke Dr. Perkins allowed
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to glide down to the surface
+of the waves, alighting on the water about
+five hundred feet from the castaways. He at
+once headed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> round, and calling
+for reduced speed made for the sinking yacht.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Slow down! Stop her! Reverse!” he shouted
+in rapid succession, as they bore down.
+</p>
+<p>
+“On board the yacht!” hailed Frank, as they
+glided up alongside, “throw us a line.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The desired rope came snaking through the air,
+falling across the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> bow. Harry
+bounded forward and made it fast.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now haul in,” ordered Dr. Perkins, as soon
+as the propellers had ceased to beat the air; “easy
+now; we don’t want to foul the wings.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+His order was obeyed; and before long the
+<em>Sea Eagle’s</em> bow was scraping the side of the
+<em>Wanderer</em>. Fortunately, the sea was smooth, or
+the maneuver would have been impossible of execution.
+As it was, however, on the easy swell
+that was running it was made with comparatively
+small difficulty.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, great Cæsar’s ghost!” blurted out a
+stout, blond man in yachting costume, who occupied,
+apparently, the position of owner of the
+yacht, “if this isn’t the twentieth century with
+a vengeance. Just think of it, Griggs—rescued
+by an aëroplane!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The man addressed, a good-natured-looking
+man, almost as corpulent as the first speaker,
+nodded appreciatively.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We don’t really know how to thank you
+folks,” continued the stout man; “we haven’t
+much longer to stay above water, as you see. We
+hit a derelict at dusk, and stove in our port bow.
+The water came rushing in so fast that I had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span>
+barely time to flash that wireless that you so
+providentially caught.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It was feeble enough, I can tell you,” Frank
+assured him; “fortunately, we were not far off,
+and so managed to catch your appeal for help.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The stout man was again warmly thanking
+his rescuers, when Dr. Perkins interrupted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Suppose you come on board,” he said; “by
+the looks of your craft she is likely to take a
+plunge at any minute. I’d like to be able to cut
+loose from her before that happens.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Taking this hint, the stout man clambered on
+board the <em>Sea Eagle</em> with more agility than might
+have been expected from a man of his heavy
+build. This done he extended a hand to his
+friend, and then came the turn of the third occupant
+of the cabin roof to disembark. This third
+man was evidently, from his costume, a paid
+hand on board the <em>Sea Eagle</em>. He was slight and
+dark and foreign looking, with beady black eyes,
+and a not over-prominent chin.
+</p>
+<p>
+Directly all were on board, Dr. Perkins ordered Frank
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span>
+to “cast off” from the sinking yacht.
+It was well this order was obeyed promptly, for
+hardly had the <em>Sea Eagle</em> been disengaged from
+the other craft’s side, than the <em>Wanderer</em> gave
+a sudden plunge, bow downward, under the
+waves. For one instant her stern upreared itself
+vertically, showing the rudder and propeller,
+and then, as if by magic, the whole craft vanished,
+to find a grave in the ocean bed.
+</p>
+<p>
+All this was seen by the searchlight, which Dr.
+Perkins had kept concentrated on the yacht while
+the last act of this ocean drama was being consummated.
+As the yacht vanished a deep sigh
+broke from the stout man.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good-by, poor old <em>Wanderer</em>,” he said,
+“there’s an end of this cruise.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am sorry that she was not in a condition to
+tow to Brig Island,” remarked Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My dear sir, so far as the actual monetary
+loss is concerned it was fully covered by insurance,”
+responded the stout man; “my only regret
+is to see a craft I was very fond of end her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span>
+days in such a fashion. Also, I am afraid my
+friend Griggs here will be disappointed at the
+failure of our cruise.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good heavens!” cried Mr. Griggs, who appeared
+to be a highly nervous individual, “I’m
+glad to have my life, Sterrett—glad to have my
+life. If I don’t catch my death of cold over this
+I’ll be fortunate indeed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“In the meantime,” struck in the man addressed
+as Sterrett, “we are forgetting in our
+own troubles the debt of gratitude we owe to
+our friends here. In the first place, let me introduce
+ourselves. I am Paul Sterrett, late
+owner of the <em>Wanderer</em>. This is my friend,
+Samuel Griggs, and yonder,” indicating the foreign-looking
+third man, “is Francis Le Blanc,
+our cook and general handy man. We left New
+York on a cruise up the coast sometime ago, and
+up till to-night experienced no mishaps. However,
+as my friend says, we must not repine; we
+should consider ourselves fortunate indeed to
+be onboard your remarkable
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span>
+craft instead of being in a watery grave, as we must have been had
+it not been for your opportune arrival.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We consider ourselves fortunate to have been
+of service to you,” responded the inventor, and
+then went on in his turn to introduce himself and
+his party, and also give a brief explanation of
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, which had, as may be imagined,
+excited the liveliest curiosity on the part of the
+rescued castaways.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But as we shall now get under way without
+further loss of time,” he concluded, “you will be
+able to see for yourselves just how the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+is controlled, and what she can do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he finished this speech, Dr. Perkins extinguished
+the searchlight, which had still been playing
+on the oil-streaked waters which marked the
+burial spot of the ill-fated <em>Wanderer</em>. This
+done, he gave Frank the “come ahead” signal.
+Obediently, as usual, the motor began its song,
+and the propellers took up the whirring, buzzing
+refrain. Mr. Sterrett and his companions sat
+perfectly still in the positions in the stern which
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span>
+had been assigned to them. Had it been light
+enough to read the expressions on their faces
+one would have said that they were absolutely
+dumbfounded.
+</p>
+<p>
+Of course both Mr. Sterrett and his friends—as
+well informed men—knew the wonderful
+capabilities of the modern aëroplane. They had
+witnessed many flights, and in common with
+the generality of progressive Americans, knew
+the general principles of aërial locomotion. But
+when the <em>Sea Eagle</em> from a “boat” turned suddenly
+into a hydroplane, they exchanged swift
+expressions of the utmost astonishment. Only
+their companion, the paid “hand” from the yacht,
+sat sullenly unimpressed. In fact, since he had
+boarded the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, he had not uttered a
+syllable, only mumbling his thanks when Mr.
+Sterrett and his companion had finished expressing
+their gratitude for their rescue.
+</p>
+<p>
+Under the skillful guidance of Dr. Perkins,
+and the constant attention that Frank paid to
+the whirring motor, the <em>Sea Eagle</em> made a quick
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span>
+run back to the island, being guided, when she
+was still some distance away, by the ruddy glare
+of a big beacon fire lighted by Ben Stubbs. It
+was an instance of the veteran adventurer’s
+thoughtfulness and resource that he had thought
+of doing this, for in the hurry of the departure,
+no such instructions had been given him. But
+on his own responsibility he had kindled the blaze
+which materially aided the swift return of the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> to her eyrie.
+</p>
+<p>
+Reaching the island, the aërial wonder was
+sent swinging in decreasing circles, till Dr. Perkins
+was sure of a safe drop to the workshop on
+the summit of the little spot of land, and then,
+with a breath-catching rapidity, the helmsman
+sent his wonderful vessel earthward, bringing it
+to a stop within the ruddy glow caused by the
+blazing bonfire which had guided them.
+</p>
+<p>
+As the <em>Sea Eagle</em> settled to the earth the party
+that had been left behind on the adventurous
+night flight pressed to the side of the novel craft.
+A glance showed them that the mission of Dr.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span>
+Perkins’ craft had been crowned with success,
+and Billy and Pudge began plying the returned
+voyagers with eager questions. Ben Stubbs was
+slightly in the background, and it was not till
+Mr. Sterrett and his companions had stepped out
+on to the ground that he got a good look at them.
+</p>
+<p>
+When he did, he gave a deep-drawn gasp of
+surprise. An expression of supreme amazement
+overspread his weather-beaten countenance. But
+his eyes did not fix on Mr. Sterrett or his companion,
+Griggs. Instead they traveled beyond
+the nattily clad yachtsmen and rested on the slim
+figure of the paid “hand.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Raoul Duval, as sure as there’s a north star!”
+choked out Ben, half to himself, “waal, if this
+ain’t a small bit of a world!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV.—BEN’S PLAN STOLEN.</h2>
+<p>
+For his part Duval was no less quick in recognizing
+Ben Stubbs. At the moment, Dr. Perkins
+and the rest were standing in a group a
+little apart, and discussing their adventure, while
+Mr. Sterrett was loud in his praises of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, which he described as the most wonderful
+craft on earth. Giving a swift look round to see
+that he was unobserved, Duval pressed a finger
+to his lips to enjoin silence on Ben, and then
+beckoned him to come a short distance out of the
+firelight.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben, in wonderment as to this unexpected reappearance
+of the young man who had exercised
+such sharp practice on him, obeyed the summons.
+But when he addressed Duval it was in an angry
+tone.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s this mean,” he exclaimed, “how did
+you come here?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“As you see, by that air ship,” was the reply;
+“I never expected to see you here, however. I
+tell you, Stubbs, I’ve had a lot of hard luck.
+When those boys and that professor-chap rescued
+us I had been compelled to ship as a deckhand
+and cook on that yacht. Just think of it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A mighty good thing for you, say I,” grunted
+Ben brusquely, “a little good, honest, hard work
+will take some of the crooked kinks out of your
+brain. My recommendation to you, Duval, is
+to stick to that sort of a job, and in time you’ll
+learn to be a man.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval shot a look full of malice at the blunt
+old fellow. But his face was in the shadow, and
+Ben did not notice it. Instead he continued:
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I ain’t the one to bear a grudge, Duval,
+although you did come mighty near shipwrecking
+my faith in human natur’. Shake hands,
+mate, and for your old father’s sake I’ll do what
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span>
+I can fer you. I ain’t one to kick a man when
+he’s down.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval extended his thin, long-fingered hand,
+and Ben seized it in his rough paw and shook it
+with a heartiness that made the dark-skinned
+Duval flinch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There!” exclaimed the old fellow heartily, as
+he relinquished his grip, “that’s all ship-shape
+and in good trim. Now let’s get back to the rest
+of ’em afore they see us talking apart.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re not going to give me away to them?”
+asked Duval, almost breathlessly. “Sterrett
+thinks I’m all right, and may give me a better
+job some time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I won’t stand in your way, lad,” heartily rejoined
+Ben. “In fact, I’d like to help you get on
+your feet again.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How about that plan of the location of the
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em>?” asked Duval, without
+paying any attention to Ben’s last remarks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Safe enough in my pocket, mate,” replied
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span>
+Ben, tapping his worn coat; “why do you want
+to know?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wondered if you had investigated my
+story.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, I haven’t yet; but I don’t mind telling
+you that I may do so before very long. And I’ll
+tell you right now, Duval, that if we recover
+anything valuable from that wreck I’ll see to it
+that you get a good share of it, and then you can
+set up in business again and make a new start.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval expressed what appeared to be very
+deep thanks for Ben’s generosity. But, in reality,
+his thoughts were busy elsewhere. An idea
+had come into his head that was to bear strange
+fruit before very long. They joined the group
+clustered about Dr. Perkins without their absence
+having been noticed. Billy and Pudge
+had seen to it while the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was on
+her mission of rescue that a good hot lunch
+should be ready on the return of the expedition.
+A few moments after Ben and Duval joined
+the others Pudge announced this fact, and the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span>
+party trooped into the hut, nothing loath, to fall
+to with hearty appetites on a good meal. Soon
+after they “turned in,” the boys insisting on the
+strangers taking their bunks, while they and Ben
+Stubbs put up with “shake-downs” on the floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was very late—or rather early morning—when
+they retired, and before long all were
+wrapped in the deep sleep of exhaustion. Ben
+was the first to awaken, to find the sun streaming
+into the hut.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great guns!” he exclaimed, glancing at
+Billy’s alarm clock on a shelf, “it’s after seven.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Broad awake in a jiffy, he aroused the others,
+going from the floor sleepers to the bunks. Dr.
+Perkins, Mr. Sterrett and the latter’s friend were
+awakened in turn, and it was not till then that
+Ben noticed that Duval’s bunk was empty.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good fer him,” he said to himself warmly,
+“the young chap has started to turn over a new
+leaf by gittin’ out early. I’ll take a turn outside
+afore breakfast and see if I can find him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Duval was not about the workshop, nor
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span>
+did Ben’s calls summon him to breakfast. It
+was not till that instant that an ugly suspicion
+flashed into Ben’s hitherto unsuspecting mind.
+Without saying a word to the others he hastily
+drew out his wallet and, withdrawing to a corner
+of the hut, examined its contents. Instantly his
+suspicions were verified.
+</p>
+<p>
+The plan of the location of the wreck of the
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em> was missing!
+</p>
+<p>
+Stifling his anger as well as he could, Ben hastened
+to the beach. As he had suspected the
+moment he found the plan missing, the small
+skiff was gone. What had happened was as
+plain as print to Ben now. Young Duval had
+waited till all in the hut were asleep, then he
+had stealthily crept from his bunk, recovered the
+plan he had given to Ben, and had decamped in
+the small boat.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, the dern scallywag!” burst out Ben, as
+he stood on the beach in the first shock of his
+discovery.
+</p>
+<p>
+In his anger he shook his fist at the strip of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span>
+sea between the island and the mainland to which,
+he did not doubt, Duval had crossed in his flight.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The—the—precious scamp!” he continued,
+his bronzed features working, “and I trusted him
+as I would have trusted his dad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Shaking his head, Ben slowly made his way
+from the beach back to the hut. He said nothing
+of his discovery during breakfast, but after
+the meal he found a pretext for drawing Dr.
+Perkins to one side. To him he communicated
+what had occurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A good riddance of bad rubbish,” said Dr.
+Perkins when Ben, whose voice shook with anger,
+had concluded his story; “we are cheaply
+rid of him, Ben.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The inventor, while not a selfish man, was
+so wrapped up in the success of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+that, to him, the loss of the plan of the wreck
+did not appeal in the same way that it did to
+Ben Stubbs. But the old adventurer took him up
+indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bad rubbish, as you say, sir,” he grated out,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span>
+“but if that paper hadn’t bin worth something
+Duval wouldn’t have taken it. It’s good-by to
+recovering that stuff from the <em>Belle of New Orleans</em>
+now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By Jove! I’d quite forgotten my promise to
+you,” said Dr. Perkins contritely; “but never
+fear, Ben, I’ll see that you are not a loser.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It ain’t that,” rejoined Ben; “I don’t give a
+snap for the plan; but it’s the ingratitood of that
+young whippersnapper that’s got me sore. I’d
+like—I’d like to find that wreck just to get ahead
+of him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Humph!” rejoined the inventor, “I understand
+your feelings. He has certainly treated
+you very badly. But possibly we can think up
+some way to outgeneral him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t see how we are goin’ to do it without
+that plan,” rejoined Ben; “but I ain’t one to cry
+over spilt milk. It’s gone, and that’s all there is
+to it. The best thing to do is to forget it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank and Harry, on their way to the <em>Sea
+Eagle’s</em> shelter, were passing at the moment.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span>
+After asking the inventor if he thought it would
+be advisable, and receiving an affirmative reply,
+Ben called them over. As briefly as he could he
+told them what had happened.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, the precious rascal!” broke out Frank;
+“I thought there was something snaky-looking
+about the chap last night. Isn’t there a chance
+of catching him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not such a slick rascal as he is, Frank,” rejoined
+Ben despondently; “no, the plan is gone,
+and gone for good—so good-by to that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Harry now spoke up, and to the astonishment
+of the others his voice did not hold a trace
+of the disappointment they could not help but
+feel.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cheer up, Ben,” he said heartily, “and by the
+way you might just cast your eye over this and
+see if it looks familiar.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As he spoke he dipped a hand into his breast
+pocket and produced a folded paper. Ben, with
+a mystified expression, took it and opened the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span>
+thing up. The next instant it almost fell from
+his hands.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why!—why, by the glittering Pole Star!” he
+choked out, “it’s the plan itself!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not exactly,” laughed Harry, “but I think
+it’s a pretty good copy. You see I always liked
+drawing and that sort of thing, so when you
+showed me that plan I memorized it, and when I
+got a chance I sketched out this copy in case
+anything happened to the original. I think it’s
+good enough to take a chance on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good enough!” roared Ben, “why, lad, it’s
+the plan itself. Now, then, if we don’t beat Master
+Duval to the <em>Belle of New Orleans</em> call me
+a double-decked, lee-scuppered sea cook!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV.—WHAT HAPPENED ASHORE.</h2>
+<p>
+As Ben had surmised, Duval had waited till
+the boys and their friends were sound asleep, and
+had then, in accordance with a plan he had
+thought of the instant he set eyes on his kind-hearted
+friend, sneaked out of his bunk and, tip-toeing
+softly to Ben’s clothes, located the
+wallet and with small trouble or loss of time
+abstracted the plan of the lost wreck. During
+the evening the ingrate had heard a description
+of the island given to Mr. Sterrett by Dr. Perkins,
+so that after taking the plan he left the hut
+and made for the beach by the path through the
+woods.
+</p>
+<p>
+Shoving off the skiff, he had taken up the oars
+and started rowing as fast as he could for the
+mainland. But what with the darkness and his
+unfamiliarity with that part of the coast, he had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span>
+failed to land in the cove adjoining the fisher
+village of Motthaven, and had beached his craft
+a considerable distance to the south of the place.
+It was just growing light when the bow of the
+skiff grated on the sand, and Duval hastily
+scrambled out and started off. His object was
+to find a railroad station and travel as far as his
+scant supply of money would take him from the
+vicinity of Brig Island.
+</p>
+<p>
+After that his plans were still vague; but he
+had an indefinite idea of getting to New York
+or some large town, and interesting anybody
+with capital to finance an expedition for the recovery
+of the gold dust chest and the bag of
+black pearls that lay at the bottom of the Black
+Bayou amid the moldering timbers of the lost
+steamer. The utter depravity and black-heartedness
+of this plan, and his base ingratitude to
+the man who had aided him in every way, did
+not strike him. Instead, there was but one over-mastering
+thought in his mind, and that was to
+secure whatever treasure might be in the wreck
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span>
+as quickly as possible, and then vanish from
+America for some foreign country with his ill-gotten
+wealth.
+</p>
+<p>
+Busy with such thoughts as these, he hastened
+up the beach in the gray of the dawn, and finding
+a rough sort of path leading up the low cliff
+that overhung the beach, he started to ascend it.
+He had not gone more than a few paces, however,
+before he saw, buried back in some trees, a
+rough-looking hut.
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval was hungry and thirsty, and, moreover,
+his long row, at such a feverish pace, had exhausted
+him. Determining to tell a story that
+would account for his presence in that isolated
+part of the coast at such an early hour, he made
+up his mind to apply at the hut for some refreshment.
+His story was to be that he had set
+off on a fishing expedition and had lost his way
+and been wandering all night.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Probably only some fool fisherman lives there
+who will believe anything I choose to tell him,”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span>
+he thought; “these fellows are all as thick as
+mud, anyhow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Musing to himself in this fashion, the renegade
+fellow made his way toward the hut and,
+coming to the door, knocked loudly on it. But
+there was no answer, and when, after repeated
+knockings, he could elicit no response, Duval
+determined that, as there appeared to be nobody
+at home, he would walk in uninvited and see
+what he could “forage” for himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+The door was unlocked; in fact, it had no latch
+and hung crazily on its rusty hinges. Opening
+it, Duval found himself in an interior as rough
+and uncouth as the outside of the hut had promised.
+A table made of old planks, seemingly
+flotsam from the beach, two soap boxes for
+chairs, and a rough sort of bunk, or rather shelf,
+littered with a pile of dirty old blankets, made
+up the furnishings. On the table were the remains
+of a meal, which had consisted apparently
+of roasted lobsters and fish. Two tin cups and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span>
+tin plates, with battered knives and forks beside
+them, completed the table service.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Confound it all,” muttered Duval, “whoever
+lives here is as poor as a church mouse. Some
+miserable fisherman, I suppose, who has hardly
+enough to keep body and soul together.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He walked to a corner of the shack where there
+was a sort of cupboard contrived out of old
+boxes. He had guessed that this formed the
+pantry of the establishment. Sure enough, in it
+he found a loaf half consumed, and the remains
+of a roasted lobster, as well as some scraps of
+fish. He was too hungry to be particular and
+was just about to start eating when a quick step
+behind him caused him to start violently, dropping
+the food he had in his hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+But before he could utter a word the young
+man—or, rather, loutish boy—who had entered
+so quietly, owing to his being barefooted, stepped
+up to him and, raising a heavy oar he carried,
+dealt the intruder a blow that deprived him of
+his senses for the time being.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+As Duval fell to the floor a man in rough
+fisherman’s garb, with a wrinkled, mahogany-tinged
+face and a tuft of gray whisker on his
+prominent chin, entered.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Zeb, what’s up?” he exclaimed, in an
+astonished voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I found this feller snoopin’ about in here,
+pop,” was the rejoinder, “an’ I calkelated ter
+lay him out till we could find out what his business
+was.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good ernuff, boy,” responded the elder Daniels,
+for most of our readers must be aware by
+this time of the identity of the two newcomers;
+“but who do yer suppose he is? He’s dressed
+like one of them fancy sailors off’n a yacht.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dad, I figger he’s a detective sent here by
+them kids on Brig Island. That’s the way it
+looks to me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess you’re right, Zeb. Here, give me a
+hand to get him up on the bunk. By hickory,
+but you must have hit him a clip.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Reckon I did land kind er hard on him, dad,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span>
+but I wasn’t takin’ chances of his turning on
+me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The two worthies lifted Duval’s limp form
+and laid it, not over-gently, on the tumbled pile
+of frowsy blankets. This done, a sudden thought
+struck the elder Daniels.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Calkerlate I’ll take a look through his
+pockets,” he said; “might rummage out something
+worth havin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb helped his father in this task; but aside
+from a small sum of money, and a collection of
+worthless odds and ends, they found nothing
+that appeared to them to be of importance. In
+an inner pocket Zeb came across the stolen map.
+Much mystified, he showed it to his father.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you think this kin be, pop?” he inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+The old man took it and knitted his brow over
+the document in a puzzled fashion.
+</p>
+<p>
+“By hickory, I kain’t make it out,” he confessed;
+“thar’s some riting in ther corner,
+though. Spell it out, Zeb.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb, obediently, but somewhat laboriously,
+read out:
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Map of the location of the wreck of the
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em>.’ That’s what it says; but
+what does it mean?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s plain enough, ain’t it?” retorted the
+old man. “It’s a map of some wreck or other,
+but what does this feller want with it? That’s
+the question.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Better ask him. He’s opening his eyes and
+coming to.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sure enough Duval stirred uneasily, and threw
+up his hand as if to ward off a blow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t hit me, Frank Chester,” he cried out;
+“I’ll give back the plan I stole.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh-ho! That’s the way the wind blows, is
+it?” muttered the elder Daniels, and then, addressing
+Duval, who was now staring wildly
+about him, he said:
+</p>
+<p>
+“So you come from Brig Island, eh, my
+hearty?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; but how did I get here? Oh, I remember now. I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span>
+was looking for food and somebody
+struck me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That was me, I reckon,” grinned Zeb, “who
+are you, anyhow? Did those kids on Brig Island
+send you here after us?”
+</p>
+<p>
+What with the effects of his blow, and his
+alarm at his position, Duval lost his customary
+caution.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m no friend of anybody on Brig Island,” he
+exclaimed, “but what do you know about that
+place, anyhow?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A whole lot,” grimly rejoined the elder Daniels;
+“now, see here, my lad, you’d best make a
+clean breast of it. How did you come by this
+plan?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The old fisherman, who was pretty keen-minded,
+had guessed by Duval’s guilty manner
+that there was some mystery connected with the
+document which he now flourished.
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval sat up on the bunk and pleaded for the
+return of the plan; but to no avail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m smart enough to see through a wall when
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span>
+there’s a hole in it,” said old Daniels; “now, see
+here, I reckon you ain’t no friend of them kids
+on the island?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval shook his head. He had, of course, no
+reason to dislike the boys; but he was an arrant
+coward at heart, and saw that the men in whose
+power he was, hated the young dwellers on Brig
+Island. He therefore thought it good policy to
+affect to be of their way of thinking.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m no friend of theirs,” he said, rather sullenly,
+“but what’s that to you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“May be a whole lot, if this plan is what I
+think it is. Now I’ve a pretty good idea that
+you come by it in no very honest way. Ain’t
+that so?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I—I was given it,” stammered Duval uneasily,
+while Zenas’ little gimlet-like gray eyes
+bored him through.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a lie,” rejoined Daniels easily; “come
+on, out with the truth, now. It won’t do you no
+harm, and may keep you from the constables.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This was a shrewd move on Daniels’ part.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span>
+Duval’s eyes dilated with fear at the idea of
+coming within the reach of the law. Without
+more ado he blurted out part of the story of the
+lost <em>Belle of New Orleans</em>, and offered to let Zenas
+share in the prize if he should locate it.
+While Duval was talking the elder Daniels had
+leaned forward, consumed with interest. Avaricious
+to a degree, the thought of the sunken
+treasure made him fairly burn with desire to
+gain it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re sure that was a true story that feller
+give you?” he asked, as Duval concluded his
+story.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m certain of it. I know for a fact that my
+father had a lot of gold dust and those black
+pearls with him on his last voyage, for he had
+written home about the fortune that he was
+bringing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Humph! Waal, your story sounds all right,
+and I don’t know but what you’ve come to the
+right shop to get some one to help you get at the
+wreck. I’ve got a diving outfit and a little
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span>
+money, and I kin raise some more. Now sit
+down and Zeb will get you a bite to eat, and
+we’ll talk things over.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And thus was begun an alliance which was to
+prove a source of much trouble to the Boy Aviators
+and their friends in the near future.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI.—OFF ON THE “AIR ROUTE.”</h2>
+<p>
+In the meantime indignation was at white heat
+on Brig Island. Mr. Sterrett was for advertising
+the disappearance of Duval, and offering a
+reward for his apprehension. He confessed that
+he had not liked the man’s looks, but had shipped
+him as help was hard to get at the time. Dr.
+Perkins agreed that it might not be a bad idea
+to communicate at once with the authorities and
+try to have the rascal captured.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But,” he added, “I am afraid he is too clever
+a scamp to fall into the clutches of the law very
+easily.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am of that opinion, too,” frankly admitted
+Mr. Sterrett, “but it will do no harm to do all
+we can to place him where he belongs.”
+</p>
+<p>
+To get ashore Frank had first to swim off to
+the motor boat, for the skiff, as we know, had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span>
+vanished. He then ran the engine-driven craft
+in alongside some rocks that sloped down into
+deep water, and from that elevation the party
+embarked. A quick run was made to Motthaven,
+from whence a description of Duval was wired
+to the metropolitan police, and the local authorities
+urged out of their usual lethargy by promises
+of a reward if Duval was found. Late that
+afternoon the search yielded results in the finding
+of the abandoned skiff, and the discovery of
+the hut in which the Daniels had been living
+since the boys had instituted proceedings against
+them.
+</p>
+<p>
+Some evidences of a hasty departure were
+found, but no clews that would give any idea of
+whither the fugitives had proceeded. In fact it
+was only by piecing together some scraps of torn
+paper that it was discovered that the hut had
+been used by the Daniels as a refuge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Dr. Perkins that evening, after
+they had bidden good-by to Mr. Sterrett and his
+friend, who had returned to New York, “well,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span>
+in my opinion the less time we lose in getting to
+Black Bayou the better it will be, for, to my mind,
+there is little doubt that Duval means to forestall
+our friend, Ben Stubbs, in ransacking the
+wreck.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The others agreed that this seemed highly
+probable, and Dr. Perkins made immediate arrangements
+for a caretaker to occupy quarters
+on Brig Island during their absence. This done,
+a return was made to the little settlement, and
+the next day final preparations were made for
+the adventurous trip through the air. The <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> was provisioned, and a light wireless apparatus
+installed, the stay wires being used as
+aërials. Of course the instruments were not so
+strong as those used at the shore station, but it
+was calculated that they had a capacity of about
+twenty miles over land, and forty above the sea,
+depending, of course, a good deal on the wave
+adjustment and the weather conditions.
+</p>
+<p>
+Twenty-four hours after the adventurers had
+started work on the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, the craft was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span>
+ready for her dash. Ben Stubbs, Pudge Perkins
+and Billy Barnes were to go to New Orleans,
+there to await the arrival of the party.
+Their departure took place amid regretful wails
+from Pudge, who loudly declaimed:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aërials and ant-hills! I don’t see why we
+can’t go by the <em>Sea Eagle</em>.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Dr. Perkins’ word was law and he had
+decided that the fewer persons who took part in
+the test the better the chance of success would
+be, and as Frank and Harry were both experienced
+aviators he placed great reliance in their
+aid. The morning after the departure of the
+New Orleans-bound passengers the caretaker
+and his family arrived. They were honest folk
+from the shore, who could be trusted to look
+after the many valuable devices on the island,
+and keep curiosity seekers off till the party returned.
+For Dr. Perkins had decided to use Brig
+Island as a permanent workshop, and expected,
+if the <em>Sea Eagle</em> proved a success, to build many
+craft like her and dispose of them at good prices.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span>
+The working of the electric fence was explained
+to the caretaker; but he declared:
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon my old gun will do more to keep undesirables
+off than any of them electric didoes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+There was now nothing more to do, the caretaker
+being duly installed, but to take to the air,
+in what was, at that date, the most unique aërial
+craft in existence. For the voyage, beside the
+provisions and extra fuel and oil, life belts had
+been provided, and not a detail had been overlooked.
+It was seven o’clock on a fine, breathless
+morning when Dr. Perkins gave the order,
+“Start up the engines!”
+</p>
+<p>
+A thrill shot through both Frank and Harry
+at the words. Experienced in aërial adventure
+as were both boys, they could not but feel that
+they were embarking on the most adventurous
+undertaking of their lives.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re off!” cried Harry, as a quiver ran
+through the craft, and the motor roared from its
+exhausts, emitting clouds of mingled flame and
+blue smoke.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; off on a fight for fame and fortune!”
+cried Frank, as Dr. Perkins threw in the clutch;
+and, with her propellers beating the air so rapidly
+that they were a mere blur, the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+shot skyward.
+</p>
+<p>
+In half an hour’s time, to the watchers on the
+island, the aërial craft had dwindled to a mere
+dot in the distant sky, and five minutes later she
+vanished from view. The boys gave many backward
+looks as they winged away from Brig Island.
+Despite their adventures, they had spent
+many pleasant days there, and it appeared to
+them to be almost a second home. Of all that
+they were to experience before returning to the
+island they little dreamed at the moment, but
+their hearts beat high with exultation as the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> winged her way southward at forty miles
+an hour, and about five hundred feet above the
+ocean.
+</p>
+<p>
+They had been in the air about an hour
+when they encountered a situation which may
+become common enough before many years have
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span>
+passed, but which was an exciting novelty to
+them. Off on the horizon a liner was sighted,
+steaming toward the American coast. Before
+long they made her out to be a big, two-funneled
+craft, painted black, and with numerous
+decks rising above her shapely hull.
+</p>
+<p>
+“One of the transatlantic liners that make
+Portland their terminal,” decided Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Shall I wireless them?” said Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, do so. It will be an interesting experiment,
+and besides will show how the apparatus
+will work.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry lost no time in getting to work. After
+a brief interval he “raised” the operator on the
+liner, Dr. Perkins keeping the <em>Sea Eagle</em> swinging
+in big, lazy circles while he did so.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We sighted you from the bridge half an
+hour ago,” flashed the operator, “who and what
+are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The hydro-aëroplane <em>Sea Eagle</em>, bound from
+Maine for New Orleans. Who are you?” flashed
+back Harry.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“The <em>Ultonia</em>, of the Portland and Liverpool
+line, eight days out from England,” was the
+rejoinder; “have you got any American newspapers
+on board?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Now it happened that Dr. Perkins had brought
+some papers of the day before along in his
+pockets, and at Harry’s request he handed them
+to him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What are you going to do?” asked Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I was going to suggest that we dive across
+the <em>Ultonia</em> and deliver the papers,” said Harry;
+“can we do it, doctor?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By all means,” rejoined Dr. Perkins, deeply
+interested; “flash them a message of what we
+intend to do so that they may be prepared.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry sent out the message and the operator
+flashed back a quick “Thanks,” adding the next
+moment: “Good-by. I’m going to beat it out
+on deck and watch you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank, in the meantime, had done the papers
+up in a compact bundle and weighted them with
+an empty beef can.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“All ready?” cried Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All ready, sir,” was the prompt reply from
+the boys.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then hold tight. I’m going to make a swift
+dive.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The liner was now almost directly underneath
+the soaring <em>Sea Eagle</em>. Her rails were black
+with passengers craning their necks upward at
+the great, man-made bird. From her funnels
+poured clouds of inky smoke, while her sharp
+prow cut the water on each side of her bow into
+sparkling foam. On the bridge were uniformed
+officers, pointing binoculars and spy glasses aloft,
+for the operator had communicated the news of
+what the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was about to do.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly the watching throngs of ocean travelers
+saw the <em>Sea Eagle</em> poise in air like a hawk
+about to pounce. Then down she came, cleaving
+the air like a falling stone.
+</p>
+<p>
+A great cry went up from the packed decks.
+It seemed as if the air craft must perish, that
+nothing could check her fall, and that she was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span>
+doomed to plunge headlong into the sea. But
+in a flash the cry changed to a mighty cheer.
+</p>
+<p>
+Less than forty feet from the water the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> was seen to shoot upward and straight
+toward the steamer. Like an arrow from a bow
+the great aërial craft shot whizzing above the
+liner’s bridge, and under the wireless aërials extending
+from mast to mast. Just as she roared
+by above the officers’ heads, like some antedeluvian
+thunder-lizard, something was seen to fall
+downward and land on the top of the charthouse.
+It was the bundle of papers thrown by
+Harry. A sailor scrambled up and got them,
+while the crowded decks yelled themselves hoarse.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then the <em>Sea Eagle</em> soared up high above the
+mast tips, and Harry seated himself at the wireless
+once more. Presently to his ears came a
+message from the speeding liner far below.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Captain Seabury wishes to congratulate you
+on the most wonderful feat of the century.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII.—AN AËRIAL AMBULANCE.</h2>
+<p>
+Harry was about to flash back an answer to
+the message of congratulation when, suddenly,
+into the scene of triumph was injected a grim
+note of threatened tragedy. One of the passengers,
+a young woman who had been leaning far
+out over the rail of the boat deck waving a handkerchief
+of filmy lace and linen, was seen, all
+at once, to topple from her perch.
+</p>
+<p>
+The next instant, and while her shrill scream
+for help still rent the air, a young man who
+had been standing beside her jumped out into
+space without waiting to do more than strip off
+coat and shoes. The <em>Ultonia</em> was speeding ahead
+at the fastest gait her twin screws were capable
+of. She was a large vessel, probably some 15,000
+tons of registration, and her momentum was too
+great to stop her for a considerable distance.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+From the <em>Sea Eagle</em> horrified eyes saw the accident,
+and witnessed the young woman’s head
+bob up for an instant amid the frothy wake of
+the big craft. The liner’s whistle screamed out
+a shrill alarm, and men could be seen scampering
+to lower a boat, while life buoys were thrown
+overboard.
+</p>
+<p>
+But before anything more could be done the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> took a sudden swoop, a swift dive
+downward, characteristic of the bird for which
+she had been named.
+</p>
+<p>
+The wonderful craft struck the water with a
+force that sent a cloud of spray boiling up about
+her, temporarily hiding her substructure and her
+occupants from view.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s sunk!” went up a moaning cry from the
+decks of the liner. But, no! An instant later it
+was seen that the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, an aëroplane no
+longer but a winged boat, was speeding as fast
+as her twin propellers could drive her toward
+the spot where the young woman had last been
+seen.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly a word, except Dr. Perkins’ caution to
+“hang on tight,” had been exchanged between the
+aviators from their simultaneous observation of
+the accident till the moment the <em>Sea Eagle</em> struck
+the water. But now orders came quick and fast.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Attend to the engines!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The order came from Frank, and Harry
+sprang into the place his brother vacated.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank hastily buckled on one of the life jackets
+and then, as the <em>Sea Eagle</em> skimmed the water
+at a twenty-five knot gait, he scanned the seething
+lane of foam behind the liner. Suddenly he
+saw what he was looking for. A white, imploring
+face, crowned with a wealth of golden hair.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Save me!” screamed the girl who, although
+she had been swimming, was by this time too
+exhausted with the effects of her immersion and
+the weight of her water-soaked clothes, to keep
+up any longer. Without an instant’s hesitation,
+Frank leaped into the water and began striking
+out with powerful strokes for the sinking girl.
+He reached her side just as she was going down
+for the third time.
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i003' id='i003'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-182.jpg" alt="WITHOUT AN INSTANT’S HESITATION, FRANK LEAPED INTO THE WATER." title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>WITHOUT AN INSTANT’S HESITATION, FRANK LEAPED INTO THE WATER.</span>
+</div>
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span></div>
+<p>
+In the meantime the young man who had
+sprung after her had also become exhausted, and
+would certainly have sunk had not Dr. Perkins
+headed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in his direction. Leaning
+far out as they came alongside the struggling
+man, Harry grasped him by the collar, and then
+half dragged him into the hydroplane portion of
+the air craft. This done, full speed was made
+for Frank and the young woman.
+</p>
+<p>
+None too soon did they reach Frank’s side.
+With the blind instinct of a drowning person the
+young woman was clinging so tightly to Frank
+that, strong swimmer though he was, he had
+much difficulty in keeping above the water. Dr.
+Perkins ordered the motor stopped as they neared
+the two, and allowed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> to glide up
+to them. Then both he and Harry bent all their
+strength to hauling on board, first the young
+woman and then Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+By this time the liner’s speed had been checked,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span>
+and her officers were swinging her in a broad
+circle to the scene of the accident. A boat had
+been lowered and was heading for the <em>Sea Eagle</em>,
+but Dr. Perkins, snatching up the megaphone,
+hailed the oarsman and told them that everything
+was all right.
+</p>
+<p>
+This done, power was applied once more, and
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> headed for the liner’s side. As
+if guessing his intention a gangway had been
+lowered, and all was ready for their reception as
+they came alongside. In the meantime the young
+man had introduced the golden-haired young
+woman as his bride, and himself as Stanley Travers,
+of Portland, Me. To say that both he and
+Mrs. Travers were grateful would be not to
+state one half of their actual feelings.
+</p>
+<p>
+In fact, their expressions of appreciation took
+so long that one of the officers at the head of
+the gangway shouted:
+</p>
+<p>
+“This is a mail boat and we must hurry,
+please.”
+</p>
+<p>
+While this was going on congratulations on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span>
+the plucky act had been shouted down from the
+uniformed skipper on the bridge and from a
+score of the passengers that banked the rails
+three and four deep.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last Mr. and Mrs. Travers, wet to the skin,
+clambered up the liner’s tall, black side, and the
+boat was hauled up on the davits. As the big
+craft, dipping her ensign and blowing her siren,
+heaved ahead, a shout of enthusiasm went up.
+But it was drowned by the roar of the <em>Sea
+Eagle’s</em> motor. Hardly had the propellers of the
+vessel begun to churn the water once more before
+Dr. Perkins’ craft rose from the water like
+a white-winged sea gull after a refreshing dip.
+As the gallant sea-and-air ship rose, her three
+occupants waved their hands in farewell in rejoinder
+to the babel of shouts beneath them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, at any rate, if the <em>Sea Eagle</em> never
+does anything more,” remarked Dr. Perkins, “she
+has accomplished a great deal.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I should think so,” exclaimed Frank, who
+had slipped into dry clothes as soon as the <em>Sea</em>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span>
+<em>Eagle</em> took the air once more; “it isn’t every
+craft that finds her baptism in life-saving at
+sea.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As long as they could see the <em>Ultonia</em> the big
+liner continued to blow her whistle, and doubtless
+the eyes of all her passengers remained fixed
+attentively on the wonderful sky ship as she
+waxed smaller and smaller against the blue.
+That afternoon the voyagers found themselves
+off Cape Ann. High above the cape they flew,
+cutting off a good chunk of distance in this way.
+The folks in West Gloucester stared in wonderment
+as the huge air ship soared by high above
+the town, and when a short time later the aviators
+passed above the white-winged fishing fleet,
+every tin pan and fog horn in the flotilla of small
+craft sounded an enthusiastic “God speed” to
+the air travelers.
+</p>
+<p>
+Far behind the main body of the fisher craft
+lagged a small sloop, and as the <em>Sea Eagle</em> came
+closer to her the boys noticed that her flag was
+flying from the peak “union down,” a sign of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span>
+distress the world over. The big hydro-aëroplane
+was flying low at the time, and it was easy
+to see, without the aid of glasses, that several
+men were running about the sloop’s decks and
+shouting something up at the air voyagers.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Shall we go down and see what the trouble
+is?” asked Frank, as he and Harry saw the signs
+of distress.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes,” decided the doctor, “no craft, either
+of the air or of the sea, can disregard such a
+signal of disaster. It will be odd if, for the
+second time on the very first day of our cruise,
+we are able to render aid to somebody who needs
+it badly.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys thought so, too, and as they dropped
+seaward the minds of all three occupants of the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> were busy with speculations concerning
+what could be the cause of the sloop’s distress.
+Dr. Perkins caused his craft to alight
+gently on the sea a short distance from the sloop,
+and then headed her over the waves toward the
+distressed vessel. As they drew closer they could
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span>
+see a grizzled-looking fellow, in rough fisher’s
+garb, leaning over the side.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come quick!” he shouted, “there’s been bad
+work going on aboard!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII.—AN ERRAND OF MERCY.</h2>
+<p>
+“What’s up?” cried Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, what’s the trouble?” came from Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Trouble enough. We sprang a leak two days
+ago, out on the fishing banks, and have been at
+the pumps ever since. Now we’ve got the leak
+stopped, but my mate, Joe Higgins, was struck
+on the head by the boom and is so mortal bad
+that if we don’t get a doctor for him pretty quick
+I’m afraid he’ll die. Then, too, our provisions
+is run out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+While the man was reciting this catalogue of
+mishaps the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was run alongside, and
+Dr. Perkins made her fast with a line the man
+flung to him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“First let’s have a look at the injured man,”
+he said and, without further delay, Captain Zebedee
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span>
+Crooks, as he informed the travelers his
+name was, led them aft to a tiny cabin, stuffy,
+dark and reeking of fish. The boys followed
+Dr. Perkins into this wretched little den and
+Captain Zebedee lighted a sea lantern.
+</p>
+<p>
+Its rays showed them a heavily built man of
+middle age lying on a locker. His head was
+bandaged, and although he breathed he showed
+no other signs of life. Dr. Perkins, with the skill
+of a professional man, made a hasty examination.
+</p>
+<p>
+“This man is badly hurt,” he said at length.
+“I am afraid his skull is fractured, but of that I
+cannot be certain. He should be ashore in a hospital.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aye! I know that,” rejoined Captain Zebedee,
+“but at the rate we are going now we won’t
+get ashore till to-morrow night, and by that time
+poor Joe may be dead.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think it extremely likely,” replied Dr. Perkins,
+“but we must get him ashore at once.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What, in that sky schooner of yours?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span>
+Dr. Perkins nodded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, we must get him on deck without further
+loss of time. Then we’ll rush him to a hospital.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The good Lord who sent you here bless you!”
+exclaimed the rugged old fisherman, affected almost
+to tears. “I never thought when I seen
+you away up thar in ther sky that you’d bother
+to notice the poor <em>Star of Gloucester</em>; but you
+did. You come down from the clouds like so
+many angels.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Funny-looking angels,” remarked Frank to
+Harry, in an undertone. But Captain Zebedee’s
+gratitude was so heartfelt and earnest that
+neither of the boys could find it in them to smile
+at his odd phrases.
+</p>
+<p>
+Captain Zebedee summoned some of his crew
+from the deck and as tenderly as possible the injured
+man was conveyed from the cabin. This
+done, he was lowered into the <em>Sea Eagle</em> and
+laid on a pile of blankets already prepared for
+his reception.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Better make for Bayhaven,” counseled Captain
+Zebedee; “there’s a good hospital there, and
+it lies right on the coast about in a straight line
+from here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins nodded, and then, having seen
+that the injured man was in a position to endure
+the ride comfortably, the flight to the shore was
+begun; but not till a substantial amount of provisions
+and some fresh water had been supplied
+to the fishing smack. As the <em>Sea Eagle</em> took to
+the air the <em>Star of Gloucester</em> was set before the
+wind, and staggered off on her slow course once
+more. The last the boys saw of the clumsy fisherman,
+the stout figure of Captain Zebedee was
+leaning on the stern bulwarks waving to them as
+they winged shoreward.
+</p>
+<p>
+The coast was a rocky one, with gaunt cliffs
+and few habitations. But as they reached it and
+flew low above a small house on the summit of
+the cliffs, they spied a man at work in a small
+garden. Of him Frank inquired the way to Bayhaven.
+The man was too much astonished to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span>
+answer at first, and stood looking stupidly up at
+the winged monster above him.
+</p>
+<p>
+But finally he collected his wits and pointed to
+the south. The <em>Sea Eagle</em> was thereupon headed
+round, and, not long after, her passengers came
+in sight of a tiny town huddled in a cove almost
+at the water’s edge. Heading out seaward once
+more, Dr. Perkins dropped to the water in the
+harbor, and then at reduced speed ran the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> up to the long wharf which jutted out
+at the foot of the little city’s main street.
+</p>
+<p>
+By the time they arrived alongside of the jetty
+half the population of the town was on hand to
+greet them. Their approach through the air had
+been seen when they were still some distance off,
+and as the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was the first air ship ever
+seen in Bayhaven it may be imagined what a sensation
+Dr. Perkins’ craft created.
+</p>
+<p>
+But all eager questioners were waved aside
+while Dr. Perkins and his young friends called
+for volunteers to help lift the injured man out
+of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>. A dozen willing hands responded,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span>
+and before long the mate of the <em>Star
+of Gloucester</em> was on his way to the hospital in
+a wagon which had been hastily converted into
+an ambulance. It may be said here that, thanks
+to the prompt manner in which aid had been secured
+for him, the man recovered after a long
+illness, and was able to resume his work on Captain
+Zebedee’s ship, where he never tires of telling
+of how he was saved by an aërial ambulance.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins accompanied his patient to the
+hospital, where he saw him comfortably settled.
+In the meantime Frank and Harry had been left
+on guard with the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, for the crowd had
+grown so large, and so curious, that it would
+not have been wise to have left the ship to the
+mercies of the inquisitive. The boys answered a
+perfect hailstorm of questions as good-naturedly
+as possible, but once or twice they had to use
+physical means to keep the younger element of
+the population of Bayhaven off the decks.
+</p>
+<p>
+By the time Dr. Perkins returned they were
+heartily tired of their job, and hailed his proposal
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span>
+that they should go up to town and purchase
+a fresh supply of provisions, with much
+delight. Leaving Dr. Perkins to cope with the
+throng, the two boys, arm in arm, made their
+way through the press and set off for the main
+street, which sloped up from the wharf. One or
+two of the crowd followed them, gaping curiously
+at the youthful aërial voyagers. But the
+boys were too used to the curiosity of crowds to
+mind this, and before long their followers
+dropped back to gape at the great flying machine.
+</p>
+<p>
+They found the town a small, uninteresting
+place. There were several shops, a hotel, with
+the usual group of loungers hanging about the
+porch, and further back a canning factory, which
+gave employment, in one way or another, to most
+of the inhabitants of Bayhaven. Beyond the
+hotel was a big “general store.” Entering it, the
+boys made a variety of purchases, and arranged
+that the goods should be shipped to the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+as soon as possible.
+</p>
+<p>
+They were just leaving the place when out of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span>
+the dusk—for by this time it was getting late—there
+came a figure that caused both boys to
+come to a dead stop in petrified astonishment.
+As for the man who had caused their sudden
+stoppage he, for his part, appeared to be nonplussed
+for a second. But the next moment he
+turned and fairly ran out of the store.
+</p>
+<p>
+“After him!” cried Frank; “it’s that rascal
+Duval!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s what!” cried Harry, no less excited.
+</p>
+<p>
+Both boys, to the utter amazement of the storekeeper,
+who thought they had gone suddenly
+crazy, dashed out of the door of the emporium,
+and taking the steps outside in one jump they
+made off in the direction in which Duval, for
+there was no doubt it was he, had vanished. But
+as ill luck would have it, the cannery whistle had
+just blown for the cessation of the day’s work,
+and round the corner there streamed a big crowd
+of the employees.
+</p>
+<p>
+It took the boys some time to work their way
+through the throng, for some of the men were
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span>
+inclined to tease them by stepping in their way
+and otherwise annoying them so that by the time
+they got through the crowd all hope of catching,
+or even sighting, Duval was gone.
+</p>
+<p>
+Greatly disappointed, and almost as much mystified
+by their sudden encounter with the rascally
+Frenchman, the boys decided to turn back and
+go down to the <em>Sea Eagle</em>. On their way they
+discussed Duval’s sudden reappearance with interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What can he be doing here?” wondered
+Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Blessed if I know,” was the rejoinder, “but
+I’ll bet he’s up to some mischief or other. My!
+How he ran when he saw us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He had good reason to,” declared Harry;
+“I guess we’d have had him arrested if we’d ever
+caught him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not much doubt of that,” declared Frank;
+“we could have charged him with the theft of
+that boat, anyhow, and that would have held him
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>
+in the custody of the authorities till we could
+have obtained further evidence.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I don’t imagine we’ll see him again,”
+decided Harry, as they turned into the Main
+Street.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No such luck,” declared Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, after all, the boys were to see Duval
+again, and sooner than they expected, too.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX.—PLUMBO FOUND WANTING.</h2>
+<p>
+They were still talking in this vein when they
+reached the wharf. The crowd had, by this time,
+thinned out somewhat, and they made their way
+to the <em>Sea Eagle</em> without difficulty. They found
+Dr. Perkins talking with a most peculiar looking
+individual. He was long and lanky as a bean
+pole, and his thatch of bright red hair was
+crowned by a hat that a scarecrow might have
+disowned.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wonder who our new-found friend can be?”
+laughed Harry, as they clambered down a rough
+ladder to <em>the Sea Eagle’s</em> deck.
+</p>
+<p>
+They soon found out. Dr. Perkins, it appeared,
+had decided to spend the night at Bayhaven,
+and had engaged quarters at the hotel
+which the boys had passed. The man with whom
+he was talking rejoiced in the name of Plumbo
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span>
+Boggs, and was a village character. However,
+he was honest, though not overmuch endowed
+with brains, and had been recommended to the
+inventor as a reliable man to leave in charge of
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+Immediately Dr. Perkins had introduced this
+strange character, Plumbo broke out into rhymed
+speech which was a peculiarity of his. Some odd
+twist in his brain made it impossible for him to
+express himself in prose.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m Plumbo Boggs of old Bayhaven; from
+harm your air ship I’ll be savin’,” quoth he,
+striking an attitude.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do you always talk that way?” inquired
+Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; I’m a poet, though you didn’t know it,”
+was the response.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I don’t know that that will keep you
+from being a good watchman,” smiled Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll watch by day or I’ll watch by night; you’ll
+soon find that I’m all right,” was the quick
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span>
+response, while Plumbo’s blue, rather watery
+eyes, flashed feebly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s satisfactory. Mind, you are to let no
+one on board, under any pretext whatever.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pretext is a word that I don’t understand;
+but I’ll keep them off though they come in a
+band,” rejoined Plumbo.
+</p>
+<p>
+“How much will you do the job for?” asked
+Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Two dollars will be my price to stay here;
+pay it and then no trouble you’ll fear.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll agree to that,” said Dr. Perkins, “we are
+going uptown now. I’ll have your supper sent
+down to you and you are to remain here till you
+are relieved by us early to-morrow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll stay right here, watchful and steady;
+you’ll find me here when to go you’re ready,”
+declared Plumbo.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And now that everything is well I guess we’ll
+start for the hotel,” said Frank, and not until
+both Dr. Perkins and Harry burst into a roar
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span>
+of laughter did he realize that he had caught the
+rhyming “infection” from the poetical Plumbo.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Be sure and don’t forget my supper; I like
+pork and beans and bread and butter,” called
+Plumbo after them as they left the wharf, and
+he took up his vigil.
+</p>
+<p>
+“An eccentric sort of character, but I guess
+he’ll take good care of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> while we’re
+gone,” said Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was on the tip of Frank’s tongue to tell
+about their encounter with Duval; but the next
+instant he decided not to speak of it. Dr. Perkins
+had several important matters on his mind,
+and after all, the boy argued, Duval could not
+do them any harm now. After supper the editor
+of the local paper called round at the hotel to
+elicit from the aërial voyagers the story of their
+trip as far as it had gone. He was also correspondent
+for the Associated Press, he informed
+them. Dr. Perkins granted him a careful interview,
+in which he described part of their adventures,
+but was cautious not to reveal any of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span>
+the details of the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> construction.
+Shortly after the newspaperman had taken his
+departure the party retired, having left an early
+call for the morning, for it had been determined
+to get under way as soon as possible the next day.
+</p>
+<p>
+Bayhaven retired early to its rest, and the
+streets were deserted when, soon after midnight,
+three men walked down the main street, taking
+care to keep in the shadows of the buildings as
+they proceeded. One of the men was Duval, and
+the others were the Daniels, father and son.
+Their presence in Bayhaven is soon explained.
+</p>
+<p>
+As we know, the elder Daniels had offered to
+get money to finance the trip to the Black Bayou,
+and it was from relatives in Bayhaven that he
+calculated on getting it. The trio had arrived
+in the town the day before, and Daniels had
+promptly obtained the money as a loan, he having
+represented that the treasure was undoubtedly
+to be found in the long-forgotten wreck.
+</p>
+<p>
+They had been on the streets the day before
+when the approach of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was announced,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span>
+and Duval instantly guessed that the
+oncoming air ship was the same that had rescued
+him and his employers from the illfated
+<em>Wanderer</em>. Neither the Daniels nor Duval himself
+knew anything of the destination of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, nor did they guess for an instant that
+Harry Chester carried with him an exact duplicate
+of Duval’s stolen plan. But their evil natures
+prompted them to do all the harm they
+could to the party, and it was with this end in
+view that they were making their way down the
+badly lighted and deserted streets of Bayhaven
+at such an hour. Duval’s dislike of the boys had
+been roused to fever heat by their chase of him
+in the afternoon, and he was burning to do them
+some injury. From one of the elder Daniels’ relatives
+the rascals had learned that Dr. Perkins
+and his two young friends were registered at
+the hotel, leaving the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in charge of
+Plumbo. At once they had decided to visit the
+air ship and see what harm they could do it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Stealthily they advanced toward the wharf,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span>
+revolving in their minds as they went what they
+would do when they got there.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll have to get that half-witted chap out
+of the way,” declared Duval, in a low tone, “or
+he may make an outcry and arouse the whole
+place.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Leave that to me,” Daniels assured him;
+“we’ll fix him up all right.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You don’t mean to hurt him? I don’t want
+to get mixed up in anything like that,” whimpered
+Duval, who was somewhat of a coward,
+as we know.
+</p>
+<p>
+Daniels actually chuckled.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, you are a chicken-hearted fool,” he
+muttered, “but don’t you be scared. There won’t
+be no necessity of hurtin’ this Plumbo. I can
+recollect him from a time when I was here years
+ago. He’s soft-headed and talks poetry. Them
+two things most allers goes together I’ve found.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Nothing more was said till they reached the
+wharf. It was dark and deserted, but in the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span>
+starlight the dim outlines of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> could
+be seen as she lay at her moorings.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll bet a cruller that chap’s asleep,” whispered
+Zeb, as they crept forward cautiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hope so. It’ll make our work a lot the easier,”
+chuckled his worthy father.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the next moment they had undeniable
+proof that the watchman was not slumbering.
+From amidst the ghostly outlines of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> came Plumbo’s voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who’s there so late? Answer up, mate.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Is that you, Plumbo?” said the elder Daniels.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, this is me, as you can see.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How are we goin’ ter see you when it’s so
+confounded dark?” growled Daniels.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, what do you wish? To bathe or fish?”
+inquired Plumbo, ignoring this remark. Then
+he continued:
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’d better skip. You’ll not board this
+ship.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s just what we came here to do,” replied
+Daniels, in an unruffled tone; “your mother
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span>
+is very ill and we come down to take charge of
+the air ship while you go home as quick as possible.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Now poor Plumbo’s love for his widowed
+mother was a matter of common talk in the village,
+and the cunning of the elder Daniels had
+suggested this scheme to him as they came along.
+It worked even better than he had dared to expect.
+The rhyming watchman gave a gasp of
+pained astonishment.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I must go home; though I ought not to roam,”
+he said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Make your mind easy about that, lad,” Daniels
+assured him; “we’ll watch this cloud clipper
+while you’re gone. Dr. Perkins told us to stay
+here while you are gone.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll go home in a hurry; be back in a scurry,”
+declared Plumbo, who was completely taken in.
+His none too acute brain had been easily imposed
+upon by Daniels’ rascally trick. He scrambled
+up on the wharf and at once set off on a run for
+his home, crying as he went:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Watch every crack till I can get back.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, go to the dickens while we get our pickin’s,”
+growled out young Zeb Daniels, at which
+specimen of wit his father laughed heartily,
+though in a subdued way.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, then, boys,” said Daniels, as Plumbo’s
+footsteps died away, “get busy and spile this
+cruise for that bunch of fine gentlemen. We’ll
+show ’em what it means to try to take folks’ livings
+away.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX.—FRANK’S BATTLE.</h2>
+<p>
+It was about midnight that Frank, for no reason
+that he could explain, awakened with a vague
+feeling of uneasiness. Try as he would he could
+not compose himself to sleep again, but lay
+awake, struggling with a sort of intuitive suspicion
+that all was not well with the <em>Sea Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last, so strong did his conviction become,
+that, although he was ridiculing his fears all the
+time, he arose and dressed himself, and then
+started out for the wharf. For a moment he
+thought he would rouse Harry, who slept on another
+bed in the same room; but in the end he
+decided not to disturb his brother’s repose. Perhaps
+he had a vague fear of ridicule, but at any
+rate Frank crept out of the hotel alone and made
+his way silently down the dark and empty streets.
+</p>
+<p>
+“This is certainly a fool’s errand I’m going
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span>
+on,” he told himself; “I suppose that my reward
+for my pains will be to hear some more of
+Plumbo’s poetry, and yet—and yet, I can’t help
+it. I couldn’t sleep another wink unless I was
+sure that the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was all right.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Musing thus, and minimizing his own fears,
+Frank came in due time to the wharf. He made
+his way down it and was about to step forward
+to descend the ladder that led to the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em>
+deck, when he heard something that made him
+pause. He recognized the sound instantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was the rasp of a file!
+</p>
+<p>
+“My gracious! Somebody <em>is</em> tampering with
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em>!” exclaimed the boy to himself.
+“My fears were not as groundless as I thought
+them, after all. I wonder if that rascal Duval——”
+</p>
+<p>
+The current of his thoughts was suddenly
+checked at this point by another noise near at
+hand. It seemed to come from behind a big pile
+of boxes on the wharf.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Goodness! What’s that?” thought Frank,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span>
+and then for the first time it flashed across him
+that if more than one man was engaged in the
+nefarious work that he was sure was going on,
+he was at a serious disadvantage. He had no
+weapons but his hands, whereas the others were
+undoubtedly well armed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll slip back uptown as quickly as I can and
+arouse the authorities,” he decided, “if they are
+quick we can catch the rascals red-handed. I
+wonder what can have become of that fellow
+Jumbo or whatever his name was? I suppose he
+went to sleep or something. Well, it serves us
+right for leaving such an eccentric fellow on
+guard.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank, who had been crouching in the shadow
+of the very boxes behind which he had heard the
+suspicious sounds, rose quickly to his feet. He
+was just slipping off, congratulating himself that
+he had been unobserved when from behind the
+boxes a dark figure suddenly emerged.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hands up, Frank Chester,” it exclaimed;
+“we’ve got you where we want you this time.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Zeb Daniels!” exclaimed Frank, dumbfounded
+with astonishment. He had not supposed
+the rascally young fisherman within miles
+of the place.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; that’s me. Don’t move a step or you’ll
+get hurt.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Frank’s indignation overcame his prudence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What are you doing here?” he demanded angrily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“None of your business.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It isn’t, eh? Well I know that you are damaging
+Dr. Perkins’ boat in some way and——”
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank stepped deftly aside as Zeb, who was a
+far heavier, stronger boy than the young aviator,
+made a tigerish jump at him, at the same
+time brandishing a thick club threateningly.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Zeb’s sudden rush proved his undoing.
+Before he could recover his balance Frank had
+planted a clean, hard punch on the young ruffian’s
+jaw, and Zeb reeled back dizzily. He recovered
+himself almost instantly, however, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span>
+without making a sound hurled himself at Frank
+once more. In a rough and tumble fight the
+sturdily built fisher boy might have been a match
+for Frank Chester, but Frank had already gained
+some advantage and he met Zeb’s frenzied charge
+coolly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb, as he got within reach, let loose a tremendous
+swing which, if it had struck Frank’s
+head as his burly young opponent intended, might
+have laid him flat. But to his astonishment Zeb’s
+fist met only empty air. Frank had ducked the
+blow with consummate ease, and the next instant:
+</p>
+<p>
+One! Two!—Crack! Smack! Two well-planted
+blows landed on Zeb’s face and body.
+Frank was rushing in to complete his victory
+when he was suddenly seized from behind in a
+powerful grip and hurled to the ground with
+great violence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb’s father, on board the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, had
+heard the disturbance, and had swiftly and silently
+climbed the ladder leading up on to the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span>
+wharf. Behind him, but at a prudent distance,
+came Duval. The Frenchman had no love for
+fighting, unless the odds were all in his favor,
+and he was by no means certain how many men
+might have attacked them.
+</p>
+<p>
+The elder Daniels took in the situation in a
+flash, and pinioned Frank’s arms, just as the
+latter was about to put an end to the battle. Duval
+saw instantly that there was no personal danger
+to himself, and while the elder Daniels held
+a grimy, leathery paw over Frank’s mouth to
+prevent his shouting for aid, Duval pinioned the
+lad’s lower limbs. Helpless as a baby Frank lay
+there on his back, completely at the mercy of
+three individuals whom he had no reason to suppose
+would handle him gently.
+</p>
+<p>
+While he still lay there a helpless captive,
+young Daniels came up, and doubling up his fist
+deliberately struck the helpless boy in the face.
+But the elder of the Daniels angrily checked him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Stow that,” he muttered roughly. “What’s
+the matter with you?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wanted to get even with him,” whined Zeb;
+“he licked me and——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, git even some other way. Bring me
+that rope off them pile of boxes while I make
+him fast.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb said no more, but obediently fetched the
+rope, and before many minutes had passed Frank
+was bound hand and foot. Moreover, a gag,
+consisting of a dirty fragment torn from the
+elder Daniels’ shirt, was thrust into his mouth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’ll we do with him now?” demanded
+Zeb, when this had been done.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Humph, I hadn’t thought of that,” rejoined
+the elder fisherman; “we can’t leave him here,
+for we don’t want any one to find him when they
+come down, as they are bound to do afore long
+when that idiot Plumbo finds out that we’ve
+fooled him. What <em>will</em> we do with the young
+game cock?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’d like to chuck him overboard,” quoth Zeb
+amiably, staunching his bleeding nose with a
+dirty coat sleeve.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t waste time talking rubbish,” angrily
+rejoined his parent; “see here, Duval, kain’t you
+think of something?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, I can,” was the eager reply; “it’s just
+occurred to me. Ho! ho! I guess that’ll keep
+him quiet for a while.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, what do you propose to do?” growled
+Daniels. “Don’t stand there like an owl. Out
+with it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, my friend, you see those big barrels
+over there?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, what about them?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll put him in one of those and give him a
+sea trip.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By Jeehosophat, but that’s a notion! I reckon
+by the time he’s picked up, or drifts ashore, he’ll
+be sorry he interfered with us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a great scheme,” chuckled Zeb, equally
+delighted. “That’s what I call getting even in
+good shape.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hold on a minute; how’s the tide?” murmured
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span>
+Daniels. “We don’t want him to be picked up too
+quick.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The tide’s running out, pop,” said Zeb, after
+a minute; “I tell you, though, what’s the matter
+with putting the barrel in that dory there and
+then loading him in it? We can row out a ways
+and then dump him overside.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s the best idea yet,” warmly approved
+his worthy parent; “come on, boys, tumble the
+barrel into that dory. Lively, now!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The barrel, quite a big one, which had been
+used for salting down fish and was quite watertight,
+was lowered into the dory that Zeb’s sharp
+eyes had spied with some difficulty.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank had watched the movements of his captors
+as well as he could in the darkness; but he
+was quite unable to guess what all this meant,
+which, perhaps, was just as well. As the conversation
+had been carried on in whispers, he had
+not overheard a syllable of the rascally plan to
+set him adrift out of pure malice.
+</p>
+<p>
+Still bound and gagged, he was lowered into
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span>
+the dory, unable to call out or move, despite the
+now serious alarm he felt. What could the men
+be going to do with him, he wondered, and was
+still busy speculating on his probable fate when
+Zeb and his father cast off the dory and, with
+rapid strokes, began to row toward the mouth of
+the harbor on which Bayhaven is situated.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI.—A RASCALLY TRICK.</h2>
+<p>
+While all this had been occurring on the wharf
+Plumbo Boggs had discovered the deception that
+had been practiced on him, and was hastening
+as fast as he could to the hotel. Even he, whose
+mind could not be called quick acting, realized
+that he was the victim of a trick, the object of
+which was, in all probability, to injure the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+Arousing the night clerk, Plumbo begged to
+be directed to Dr. Perkins’ room. The night
+clerk knew the eccentric character, and lost no
+time in escorting him to the doctor’s quarters.
+Plumbo thundered on the door with noise sufficient
+to arouse the other guests.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is it? What’s happened?” shouted Dr.
+Perkins, thinking for an instant that the place
+must be on fire at least.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, doctor, come quick! They’ve played us
+a trick!” yelled Plumbo.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who? Where? What do you mean?” exclaimed
+Dr. Perkins, coming to the door.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Two men and a lad; they’ve fooled me bad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do you mean that they persuaded you to
+leave the <em>Sea Eagle</em> alone and unguarded?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“They told me a story to get me from there; or
+I’d have given your air ship the best of good
+care,” pleaded Plumbo, seriously alarmed at the
+angry look that had come over the doctor’s face.
+“Don’t be angry with me, I pray; if they hurt
+it I’ll ask you no pay.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“As if that would help,” cried Dr. Perkins
+angrily; “wait there till I get some clothes on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He retreated into the room and as he hastily
+donned some garments he wondered who the
+men could be who had induced the soft-witted
+poet to leave his position of trust.
+</p>
+<p>
+“For the life of me I can’t imagine who they
+can be,” he was thinking, while he hurriedly
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span>
+laced his shoes, when the door opened and in
+walked Harry fully dressed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I heard the noise in the corridor, and heard
+Plumbo telling you that something had happened
+to the <em>Sea Eagle</em>,” he said excitedly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know that anything has happened
+yet,” cried Dr. Perkins anxiously; “I’m hoping
+not. But from what I can gather from Plumbo’s
+foolish talk three men induced him, on some pretext,
+to leave the ship unguarded. I must say it
+looks suspicious. But I cannot think who there
+is in this place where we are unknown who would
+want to harm us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The thought of Duval flashed across Harry’s
+mind. He and Frank had decided not to tell
+Dr. Perkins about their encounter lest it should
+worry him; but surely the time to tell about it
+had come now.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We ought to have told you,” he said, rather
+falteringly, “but we did not want to cause you
+undue anxiety,—we saw Duval this afternoon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins almost shouted the question, or
+rather exclamation, in a thunderstruck tone.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. We tried to catch him, but he escaped
+us. Frank can tell you all about it. By the way,
+where is Frank?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Isn’t he in your room?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No; when I was awakened by the noise in
+the passage I saw that his bed was empty. I
+supposed that he had got out of bed ahead of me
+and had come in here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I haven’t seen him since we retired.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then where can he be?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The inventor and the boy aviator stared at
+each other for an instant.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good gracious, this looks serious, indeed,”
+exclaimed Dr. Perkins; “not in his room, and
+not in the hotel, apparently. Where can he have
+gone to?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s what’s worrying me,” cried Harry, in
+a rather quavering tone; “I’m sure, perfectly
+sure, that that rascal Duval knows something
+about him wherever he is. Maybe he heard some
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span>
+word of a plot to injure the <em>Sea Eagle</em> and has
+gone down to see if he can frustrate it. Duval——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; but Duval, if it is he, is not alone in this
+thing. Plumbo says there were two men and a
+lad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Two men and a lad,” cried Harry joyously,
+“then the lad must have been Frank.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But who could the others have been? They
+all came together and sent our watchman away.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s all a deep mystery, doctor. I think our
+best plan is to make all the speed we can to the
+wharf. Perhaps we can find some solution
+there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; let us do so at once. I am all ready,
+are you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; I hurried to get dressed as soon as I
+heard the noise in the corridor.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Plumbo was waiting, and as they hastened
+down the street he explained in his odd rhyming
+speech just what had happened. He could not
+describe the men except to say that one had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span>
+whiskers on his chin. In a part of the country
+where this is a favorite facial adornment this
+information was not much of a clew.
+</p>
+<p>
+It took the alarmed party much less time to
+reach the wharf than they would have thought
+was possible. In fact, almost the whole distance
+was traversed at a run. But when they arrived
+at the wharf and a lantern, which Dr. Perkins
+had had the foresight to bring along, had been
+kindled, they found nothing to inform them as
+to what had taken place. The doctor had not
+expected to find Plumbo’s three men there, but
+he had had an idea that he would find something
+damaged about the <em>Sea Eagle</em>. But as careful
+an examination as it was possible to make by
+lamplight failed to reveal any trace of damage.
+</p>
+<p>
+Naturally this, instead of helping to clear the
+mystery, only deepened it. What object could
+the men have had who had sent Plumbo off on
+his wild goose chase if it had not been to wreak
+injury to the <em>Sea Eagle</em>?
+</p>
+<p>
+“Maybe they were some inventors who wanted
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span>
+to steal your ideas,” suggested Harry, recalling
+some experiences of their own with unscrupulous
+aviators.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Every important feature of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+is fully covered by patents,” he said; “there isn’t
+a single idea they could appropriate in the short
+time they could have spent here anyhow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry had to admit that this was so, but to
+tell the truth his thoughts were centered more
+on Frank and on the strange circumstances surrounding
+his disappearance than they were on the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m as certain as that daylight will come again
+that Frank fits into this mix-up somewhere,” he
+said, voicing his thoughts, “but the question is
+where?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, he’s not here now, that’s certain,” declared
+Dr. Perkins. “I propose that we should
+return to the hotel now that we have discovered
+that no damage has been done. He may meet
+us there.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Let’s search the wharf first,” said Harry, but,
+naturally, even their painstaking search failed
+to reveal any trace of Frank’s fate till, all at
+once, Harry, who was carrying the lantern, came
+upon his brother’s cap lying where it had fallen
+in the scuffle among the boxes.
+</p>
+<p>
+The bit of headgear had been kicked close to
+the string-piece of the wharf, and a fearful fear
+that made Harry’s head swim shot into his mind.
+Could Frank have come down to the wharf, suspecting
+mischief was on foot, and have either
+fallen or been thrown into the water?
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look—look here, sir,” he exclaimed in a
+shaking voice, as Dr. Perkins asked him what
+was the matter.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is it?” asked the doctor, coming forward.
+“A clew?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; it’s—it’s Frank’s cap, doctor. Pray
+heaven no harm has befallen him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If it has, swift vengeance is going to overtake
+somebody,” declared Dr. Perkins, clenching
+his hands; “where did you find the cap?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Close to the string-piece. You—you don’t
+think he could have fallen over?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nonsense,” declared Dr. Perkins with a confidence
+he was far from feeling; “we’ll get him
+back again safe and sound, never fear.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Harry’s heart sank as he fingered his
+brother’s cap.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m trying to think so, too, sir,” he said miserably;
+“but—but——”
+</p>
+<p>
+He paused abruptly, for he could not have
+gone further without breaking down. Harry
+had gone through some anxious moments in his
+life, but never had his heart sunk so low as it
+did that night on the Bayhaven wharf.
+</p>
+<p>
+In the meantime, let us see how it was faring
+with the boy whose disappearance had caused
+such cruel fears—fears which even the vengeful
+tempers of Daniels and his son would have been
+satisfied with. We left Frank gagged and bound
+on the bottom of the dory, while Zeb and his
+father were pulling with strong, swift strokes
+for the open water.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The dory shot swiftly and silently seaward,
+with Frank completely in the dark as to what
+was to be his fate. It occurred to him, though,
+that perhaps they meant to maroon him on some
+island. This thought did not give him so much
+anxiety as might have been expected, for he
+knew that the waters about Bayhaven were fairly
+populous with boats, and did not suppose that his
+captors meant to keep him a prisoner any longer
+time than would be necessary for them to take
+their departure from that part of the coast before
+the authorities could be notified.
+</p>
+<p>
+Imagine, then, his thrill of surprise when the
+boat suddenly stopped and the barrel, into which
+some big stones had been thrown to keep it upright
+in the water, was lowered from the dory.
+This done, Frank was lifted by main force and
+placed in it.
+</p>
+<p>
+A brutal laugh broke from Zeb and his father
+as they shoved the barrel containing its helpless
+captive away from the side of the dory. Duval
+said nothing, but his white teeth showed in a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span>
+grin in the starlight. Frank, gagged as he was,
+could not utter a word or move a limb. He could
+only realize, with dumb agony, the terrible nature
+of his fate.
+</p>
+<p>
+Still laughing, the brutal rascals who had conceived
+the idea of setting him adrift, rowed off
+at a quick rate, leaving the barrel and its helpless
+occupant bobbing up and down on the swells
+of the starlit sea.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII.—REUNITED!</h2>
+<p>
+Frank’s heart sank as he cast a look about him
+and perceived the helplessness of his position.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If I could only get this gag off and shout for
+help,” he thought, “maybe somebody would hear
+me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But there seemed to be no means of compassing
+this end, try as he would to think of some way.
+All at once, as the stars were beginning to fade
+and a faint flush of gray appeared in the east,
+he perceived a nail sticking up on the rim of the
+barrel. This gave him an idea. By bending
+slightly he would be able to bring the edge of the
+gag against the sharp pointed bit of metal, and
+possibly tear it out. At any rate, it was worth
+trying, and Frank at once proceeded to put his
+plan into action.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was a hard job to bend low enough to bring
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span>
+his mouth on a level with the nail, but fortunately
+the barrel was a large one, and consequently he
+had not so very far to stoop. By making a desperate
+effort he succeeded at last in dragging the
+gag across the nail. In doing this he scratched
+his chin, but he did not mind that, for the nail
+caught and held the rag, tearing it out of his
+mouth as he moved his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hurray!” breathed Frank, inhaling a great
+lungful of fresh air. “Now I can at least make
+a racket, and maybe that will bring some one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+With all his might he began shouting for help.
+In the still morning air his voice carried clearly
+across the water, and to the lad’s huge delight it
+was not long before he perceived, coming toward
+him a small fishing boat, which, from the “chugging”
+sound it made, was evidently furnished
+with a gasolene engine.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the question that now agitated the boy
+was, “Would they see him or hear his voice above
+the loud noise of the motor?” If they did not,
+Frank realized that his plight would pass from a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span>
+serious to a desperate state, for the barrel was,
+by this time, caught in a current which was rapidly
+increasing the distance between himself and
+the shore.
+</p>
+<p>
+To his intense relief, however, he saw the fishing
+boat suddenly change her course, and before
+long she was close enough for him to read the
+name “<em>Two Sisters</em>” on her broad, bluff bow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, by the tarnal!” came a gruff voice,
+“who and what are yer out here in a ba’rl?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The speaker, a burly-looking fellow, with a
+rough but kindly countenance, regarded Frank’s
+face, which was all that was visible of him, with
+the most intense astonishment, as well he might.
+In a long experience off shore, covering all sorts
+of adventures, Captain Elihu Carney of the <em>Two
+Sisters</em> had never before beheld a floating barrel
+with a human head projecting from it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a kid—a boy!” shouted one of his mates
+from the stern of the <em>Two Sisters</em>, where he held
+the tiller.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Crack-e-e! so it air. Hey, kid, what yer doin’
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span>
+out here? Takin’ a cruise, or is this one of them
+new-fangled health cures?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s neither, I assure you,” cried Frank; “get
+me out of this and I’ll tell you all about it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll run alongside and you can climb out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, I can’t,” returned Frank; “I’m bound
+hand and foot.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What! Say, you be’ant one of them movin’
+picter fellers makin’ a fillum be yer?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Captain Carney’s rugged face held a look full
+of suspicion. Once not long before his boat had
+been boarded by a beauteous maiden, apparently
+fleeing from a band of desperadoes. The gallant
+captain had fished her out of the dory in which
+she was rowing from her pursuers and had
+threatened the apparent rascals with all sorts of
+dire things. Then to his chagrin a voice had
+hailed him:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hey, you old mossback! You’ve spoiled a
+grind!”
+</p>
+<p>
+A “grind” being moving picture language for
+a film.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I certainly am not,” returned Frank indignantly;
+“no moving pictures about this, I can
+tell you. This is the real thing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, as I don’t see no camera about I
+reckon it’s all right. Put her head round, Eph,
+and we’ll pick him up, but ‘once bitten twice shy,’
+you know.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Eph, the helmsman, brought the bow of the
+<em>Two Sisters</em> round and slowed up the engine. A
+minute later the fishing boat’s side was scraping
+the barrel, and Captain Carney’s muscular arms
+lifted Frank out of his floating prison as if he
+had been an infant.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, I’ll be double decked consarned!” he
+roared, as he saw the ropes that confined the
+boy’s limbs. “Who done this?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Some rascals who had good cause to wish
+me harm,” said Frank. “I suppose they thought
+they could get rid of me while they made their
+escape.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the world comin’ to?” cried the rugged
+skipper, throwing up his hands.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+He reached into his belt for a tarry sailor’s
+knife and cut Frank loose in a few strokes of
+the keen blade. But the boy was so stiff from
+loss of circulation that it was some time before
+he recovered the use of his limbs. The <em>Two Sisters</em>,
+it turned out, was headed for Bayhaven, to
+which port she belonged, but so far had Frank
+drifted in his—or rather somebody else’s barrel—that
+he was able to tell his whole story before
+the wharf was reached.
+</p>
+<p>
+As they neared it the skipper ordered Eph to
+blow the compressed air whistle so as to apprise
+every one ashore that something unusual was
+happening. Among the crowd that hastened to
+the wharf in response to the frenzied tooting
+Frank recognized Dr. Perkins and Harry. As
+they drew close he saw how white and strained
+their faces were, and realized what anxiety they
+must have been through on his account. He
+shouted loudly, and at the sound of his voice
+both Harry and the staid inventor set up a series
+of cheers that drowned the tooting of the whistle.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span>
+As for Plumbo Boggs, who was also on the
+wharf, he burst into rhyme at once.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Home again! home again from the stormy
+sea; now that your chum is found all right, don’t
+blame me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+So saying he capered about, snapping his fingers
+and performing a dozen odd antics while
+the <em>Two Sisters</em> was making fast. Without waiting
+for Frank, who was still stiff and sore, to
+come up on the wharf, Harry and Dr. Perkins
+jumped to the deck of the <em>Two Sisters</em>, and the
+former fairly threw his arms about his brother’s
+neck.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you only knew how glad I am you have
+come back,” he exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What ever happened to you?” demanded Dr.
+Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a long story,” said Frank, “and I’m famished.
+Suppose we ask Captain Carney and Eph
+to breakfast with us and while we are eating I’ll
+tell you all about it.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII.—OFF ONCE MORE.</h2>
+<p>
+AS our readers are fully acquainted with
+Frank’s adventure it would only tedious to
+relate all that took place at the breakfast. It
+may be said, however, that both Captain Carney
+and his mate received a substantial recognition
+of their services, from Dr. Perkins, in the form
+of a check. At first the bluff fishermen were by
+no means willing to take pay for what they had
+done, but were finally prevailed upon to accept
+the present, which, as Captain Carney owned,
+“would come in mighty handy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+After the conclusion of the meal all hands
+adjourned to the wharf, and a thorough examination
+was made once more of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>,
+with the object of detecting any damage which
+the Daniels and Duval might have done her, and
+which might have been overlooked in the lamplight investigation
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238'></a>238</span>
+made by Dr. Perkins and
+Harry. A bright spot was found on one of the
+metal braces. Undeniably it had been done by
+the teeth of a file, but it was only a superficial
+damage, which did not affect the strength of the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> in any way.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess Frank scared them away before they
+had time to do any more harm,” was Dr. Perkins’
+conclusion; but later on he was to have a different
+opinion.
+</p>
+<p>
+As things were at present, however, Dr. Perkins
+felt no hesitation in declaring the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+fit to resume her voyage without further delay.
+The fresh provisions being on board, and there
+being nothing to prevent an immediate start, the
+voyagers at once made ready for a continuance
+of the trip which, so far, had proved so packed
+with adventure.
+</p>
+<p>
+The gasolene tank was refilled, and the emergency
+receptacles for the liquid fuel seen to.
+Plumbo Boggs was paid and instructions left to
+telegraph Dr. Perkins in New Orleans in case
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span>
+any trace was found of the miscreants, who undoubtedly
+had intended to injure the <em>Sea Eagle</em>,
+and who had played such a dastardly trick on
+Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’ll fly from the sea far up to the sky;
+good-by! good-by! good-by! good-by!” cried
+Plumbo Boggs as the ropes that held the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> to the wharf were cast off and, amidst a
+loud cheer from the crowd, the engine was
+started.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was a fine summer morning with a glassy
+sea and a sky that was cloudless, except in the
+east, where a great mass of castellated white
+clouds were piled up.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’d best hug the shore,” were Captain Carney’s
+parting words of advice. “To my mind
+we’ll have a storm of some sort before the day’s
+out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But in the noise and excitement of the departure
+his words were unheard and the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> started off down the coast with the warning
+unheeded. Dr. Perkins ran the craft over
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span>
+the water till the mouth of the harbor was
+reached, easily outdistancing some fast launches
+that tried to keep up with them. When they got
+“outside,” the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was driven ahead at
+top speed, and with her rising planes set at a
+sharp angle she was driven upward till a height
+of some five hundred and fifty feet had been
+obtained. Her course was due south.
+</p>
+<p>
+They were flying over a small island not far
+from the shore when Frank, who was looking
+over the side, noticed a dory ashore on the beach.
+He had hardly noticed this before three figures
+came running down to the beach and pointed upward.
+One of them jerked a rifle up to his shoulder,
+and a minute later a puff of smoke came
+from the barrel. Simultaneously a bullet sang
+through the rigging of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, boring a
+small hole in one of the upper planes, but, fortunately,
+not striking any vital part of the craft
+or doing injury to her passengers.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s those rascals now!” exclaimed Frank
+indignantly. “They must have rowed down to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241'></a>241</span>
+that island and are waiting there for a chance to
+get ashore quietly. Shall we go down and attack
+them?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nothing much would be gained by it,” he
+said, “and it would only delay our trip.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> was flying fast, and the rascals
+on the island, who, as Frank had rightly guessed,
+were the two Daniels and Duval, had no chance
+to try a second shot. At noon, after a steady
+flight all the morning, the voyagers found themselves
+off Martha’s Vineyard. A hasty lunch
+was eaten in midair, with the <em>Sea Eagle</em> still
+winging her way like a grayhound of the sky.
+</p>
+<p>
+The shore swam by below them like a panorama,
+but they only viewed it indistinctly, as the
+course was kept about five miles off shore. In
+the afternoon they saw, off to the right, a stretch
+of mammoth hotels and amusement resorts.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Atlantic City!” cried Frank. “I’ll bet there
+are hundreds of glasses leveled at us from the
+boardwalk right now.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242'></a>242</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess so,” rejoined Harry. “We must look
+funny way out here at sea.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was half an hour later that Frank’s
+attention was attracted to the sky by the
+sudden blotting out of the sun, which had been
+shining brightly. He gave a cry of alarm as he
+looked upward. A vast bank of black clouds had
+come rolling up, like a sable curtain, blotting out
+the blue sky. The sea below was leaden and angry
+in hue, and its surface was flecked with
+white caps.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re in for some bad weather, I’m afraid,”
+declared Dr. Perkins, when Frank called his attention
+to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly had he spoken before, from the cloud
+bank, a red, jagged flash of lightning blazed. It
+was followed almost instantly by a sharp clap
+of thunder, and some heavy rain drops began
+to patter on the broad upper planes of the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll make for shore,” declared Dr. Perkins;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span>
+“we must be about off Cape May now. We can
+lie there in shelter till this blows itself out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That will be the best idea,” said Frank.
+“This is going to be a hummer. Wow! Look
+at that!”
+</p>
+<p>
+A flash of lightning, that seemed as if the
+whole curtain of clouds had been split from top
+to bottom, had caused his exclamation. So
+brilliant was the glare that it caused them all
+to blink involuntarily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Put on full speed, Frank!” shouted Dr. Perkins
+above the deafening peal of thunder that
+followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank needed no second bidding. He opened
+both gasolene and spark levers to their full capacity.
+Dr. Perkins had already headed the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> for the distant low-lying shore. This
+caused the craft to plunge almost as much as if
+she were “bucking” into a heavy sea. For the
+wind was off shore, and the thunder storm, as
+such storms frequently do, was coming up
+against it.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly, in the midst of the fight with the
+wind, Frank noticed an ominous sound from the
+motor. It gave a sort of spluttering, coughing
+exhaust and slowed down perceptibly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s wrong now?” he exclaimed anxiously.
+“Gracious, if the motor should go out of business
+now!”
+</p>
+<p>
+He did not say this aloud, but bent over the
+laboring machine to try and ascertain what was
+the matter with it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“More speed!” cried Dr. Perkins from the forward
+part of the air ship; “we can’t fight this
+wind at this pace.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s something the matter with the motor,”
+shouted Frank above the now almost continuous
+rolling of the thunder. “I can’t make
+out what——”
+</p>
+<p>
+A sudden loud report, like a pistol shot, came
+from the engine—a back-fire, as it is called—and
+the next instant the motor stopped dead.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> was at that moment some 750
+feet above the angry sea, with the storm raging
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span>
+about her furiously. Before Dr. Perkins could
+realize what had happened, the big craft began
+to drop downward with sickening velocity, while
+her occupants clung on to whatever was handy,
+with the desperate clutch of drowning men.
+</p>
+<p>
+Frank had just time to shout:
+</p>
+<p>
+“The life preservers! Quick, quick! for heaven’s
+sake!”
+</p>
+<p>
+But there was no time to obey the order before
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> struck the waves, hurling
+spray and wind-driven foam in a great cloud
+all about her wings and substructure.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV.—A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.</h2>
+<p>
+The next moments were filled with anxiety.
+The sea was running high, and, although Dr.
+Perkins had brought his craft upon a level keel
+by skillful volplaning, before it struck the waves,
+the situation was extremely serious.
+</p>
+<p>
+The hydroplane portion of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was
+built lightly, and, although it was well strengthened
+with braces, the test was a severe one. Over
+the bow the crests of the waves broke constantly,
+showering the occupants with spray. The <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> was tossed about helplessly, a plaything
+of the waves, while her adventurers strove to collect
+their thoughts and decide what was to be
+done.
+</p>
+<p>
+First they adopted Frank’s suggestion and
+donned the life jackets, so that if the worst came
+to the worst they would have a fighting chance
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247'></a>247</span>
+for their lives. When this had been done, Frank,
+who had had some experience in motor boats,
+supervised the rigging of a “spray-hood” across
+the bow. This kept some of the spray out, and,
+although it was formed of sheets of spare canvas
+intended to be used as waterproof night coverings,
+it answered its purpose well enough.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do you think that there is a chance of our
+keeping afloat?” asked Harry when this had been
+done.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, we appear to be making out all right
+so far,” rejoined Dr. Perkins; “the wing floats
+are working well, and if only we can get the engine
+going again we may be able to fly ashore
+yet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The wing floats referred to were nothing more
+nor less than the light cylindrical pontoons affixed
+to each lower wing tip. They acted precisely
+as “outriggers” would do in steadying the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>. In fact, had it not been for this lateral
+support, the craft must have turned turtle under
+the terrific tossing she was receiving.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248'></a>248</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going right to work on the engine,” announced
+Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+With Harry to help him, the lad proceeded to
+carry out this purpose. But it was the hardest
+bit of “trouble finding” he had ever done. The
+motion of the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, as she was tossed on a
+wave crest and then hurled into the abyss beyond,
+made it hard to hold on, let alone investigating
+the complicated mechanism of a motor.
+But as time wore on and they still kept afloat,
+they began to have hopes that they would at least
+stay on the surface till the engine could be started
+once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+One after another Frank made the different
+tests employed to ascertain the various troubles
+that may assail a gasolene motor. He tested the
+ignition, the spark, the gasolene supply and the
+bearings. Everything appeared to be all right,
+and he paused in a puzzled way before he went
+to work on the carburetor. That is a delicate
+piece of mechanism, even to an ingenious boy
+like Frank Chester; but he finally concluded that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249'></a>249</span>
+the trouble must lie there. His first task was
+to open the relief cock and drain the brass bowl
+of the mixing chamber.
+</p>
+<p>
+He turned the valve, and the mystery of the
+stoppage of the engine was instantly explained.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sand had been placed in the carburetor by persons
+whom Frank had little difficulty in mentally
+identifying.
+</p>
+<p>
+“So that was what those rascals did!” he cried
+aloud. “No wonder we couldn’t find anything
+the trouble with the ship. They were too foxy
+for that, and could hardly have found a better
+way of injuring the <em>Sea Eagle</em> than to do that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Is there any way of fixing the damage?”
+asked Dr. Perkins, who, with Harry, had hastened
+to Frank’s side as he cried out over his discovery.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. Thank goodness, we’ve got a spare carburetor
+on board, for it would take a week to
+clean out this. If no sand has got into the cylinders
+I think I can promise to get things going
+again before very long.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250'></a>250</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Out of the locker in which the spare parts
+were kept Frank produced another carburetor.
+But unscrewing the feed pipe and taking off the
+old mixing chamber and adjusting the new one
+were tedious tasks, especially under the circumstances
+in which Frank was compelled to work.
+But at last it was done, and with a beating heart
+Frank adjusted the self-starter. A few seconds
+now would decide their fate.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry shivered in anticipation of failure as his
+brother, having got the engine going by the just
+mentioned appliance, turned on the gasolene and
+spark.
+</p>
+<p>
+For a breathless instant their fate hung in the
+balance, and then there came the welcome sound
+of the exhaust. Bit by bit Frank allowed the
+speed to increase, till the engine was running at
+its full capacity of revolutions. But the propellers
+were not turning, as before testing the
+motor he had thrown the clutch out of gear.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think that we can try to rise now,” he said
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251'></a>251</span>
+calmly, after the motor had run without a miss
+or a skip for ten minutes or so.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I think so, too,” said Dr. Perkins, “and I
+want to tell you, Frank, that you have done what
+I would not have believed possible under the conditions.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Another anxious moment followed when the
+clutch was thrown in and the full load of the propellers
+came upon the engine. But not a hitch
+occurred. The large-bladed driving fans of the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> beat the air rapidly and surely, and
+the hydroplane-formed underbody began to glide
+over the tops of the waves, instead of rolling and
+pitching helplessly among them. To the westward,
+too, there showed a patch of lighter sky,
+heralding the passing of the storm.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, as if unwilling to allow them to escape
+without again bringing their hearts into their
+mouths, the storm had one more buffeting to
+give them. As full power was applied, and the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> rose above the tossing wave crests
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252'></a>252</span>
+and headed slantingly skyward, there came a sudden
+puff of wind.
+</p>
+<p>
+Skillful as Dr. Perkins was, it caught him momentarily
+unprepared. In the wink of an eye the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> careened over, almost on her “beam
+ends.” It seemed as if the right hand wing tips
+actually touched the water. One inch more and
+there might have been an abrupt conclusion to
+this story, but Dr. Perkins’ hands seemed to be
+everywhere at once. They flashed among levers
+and wheels.
+</p>
+<p>
+For the space of a breath the <em>Sea Eagle</em> hung
+almost vertically, and then the big craft suddenly
+righted and shot upward on an even keel
+once more. But the moment had been an awful
+one, and as they winged their way upward not
+one aboard was there but felt that they had been
+delivered from a dreadful fate by what might
+well be described as a miracle.
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i004' id='i004'></a>
+<img src="images/illus-252.jpg" alt="ONE INCH MORE AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ABRUPT CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY." title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>ONE INCH MORE AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN<br/>AN ABRUPT CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY.</span>
+</div>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253'></a>253</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV.—A RACE TO CLOUDLAND.</h2>
+<p>
+Scudding before the wind, for the half gale
+that was blowing had shifted during their battle
+with the waves, the aërial voyagers made fast
+time beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead.
+In fact, it appeared to the boys that they
+actually outflew the wind. At any rate, it was
+not long before the thunder of the great breakers
+on a low, sandy beach told them that they were
+close to the shore.
+</p>
+<p>
+An instant later houses and streets came into
+view, and Dr. Perkins began looking anxiously
+about beneath for a place to land. He soon spied
+a spot,—a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared
+to be one, not far from the center of the
+city. Calling to Frank to “stand by” the engines,
+he began to descend in a series of circles.
+</p>
+<p>
+Coming to earth in a high wind is a risky bit
+of business for the air man, about as dangerous
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254'></a>254</span>
+a maneuver, in fact, as can be imagined. But in
+this case there was no choice for Dr. Perkins
+and his young friends, unless they wanted to be
+carried clear across the cape and into Delaware
+Bay.
+</p>
+<p>
+Below them they could now see excited crowds
+racing toward the ball-ground, as soon as it became
+evident that that was the spot where the air
+men intended to alight. This did not please Dr.
+Perkins at all. A crowd was the last thing that
+he wished to have about when he made his drop
+earthward. But there was no help for it, and he
+kept on descending, trusting to the good sense of
+the throngs below to get out of the way when the
+time came.
+</p>
+<p>
+But crowds have never been remarkable for
+their common sense, and this one was no exception.
+The last “bank” had been made with
+safety, and the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was making a clean-cut
+swoop to earth, when the crowd rushed in
+right below her. To have kept the craft on its
+course would have meant much injury, and possible loss
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255'></a>255</span>
+of life. On the other hand, Dr. Perkins
+knew that in the wind that was blowing it
+would be dangerous in the extreme to the air
+craft to change her course.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Get out of the way!” he shouted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Out of the way unless you want to get hurt!”
+yelled Frank and Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the crowd, like foolish sheep, only stared
+and gaped, and made not the slightest effort to
+avoid the on-driving <em>Sea Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was only one thing to do, and Dr. Perkins
+did it. There was a quick twist of his steering
+wheel, and the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, instantly obeying
+her helm, darted off in an opposite direction to
+the one in which she had been advancing. Like
+a flash Dr. Perkins pulled the rising lever, at the
+same time shouting to Frank to stop the engines
+momentarily. He thought that the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+would rise of her own volition, and knew that if
+the engines kept driving at top speed that his
+craft would be plunged prow first into the earth.
+</p>
+<p>
+So he chose the lesser of the two evils, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256'></a>256</span>
+the maneuver might have been successful but
+for one thing. There was not room in which to
+execute it.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> hesitated, half rose, and then
+crashed down to the ground, landing heavily on
+one wing tip and smashing it to bits. Frank and
+Harry were pitched clean out of the hydroplane
+substructure when the impact came, and a cry of
+alarm went up from the crowd. But Dr. Perkins
+clung to his seat and brought the big craft
+to a stop.
+</p>
+<p>
+Fortunately neither Frank nor Harry had been
+much injured, beyond being badly shaken up and
+bruised, and they were both on their feet again
+in a jiffy after the accident. The crowd, as if
+realizing that its actions had had a good deal
+to do with the accident, forebore to press in, and
+they made their way to Dr. Perkins’ side without
+difficulty.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Is she much injured?” was Frank’s first question.
+</p>
+<p>
+“By good luck I think we have escaped serious
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257'></a>257</span>
+damage,” rejoined Dr. Perkins, “but only an examination
+can tell.”
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment a well-dressed, prosperous-looking
+man came elbowing through the crowd.
+He came straight up to Dr. Perkins with hand
+extended.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Perkins!” he exclaimed. “I always told
+you you’d have a tumble some time, and now
+you’ve had it; right in my back yard, too. But
+I’m sincerely glad to see that neither you nor
+your machine appears to be much injured.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The newcomer was Mr. James Studley, an old
+acquaintance of the inventor’s, who was summering
+at Cape May. The doctor was very glad to
+see him and accepted his cordial invitation to
+spend the night at his house, the boys, of course,
+being included in the invitation.
+</p>
+<p>
+In the meantime, a squadron of police had arrived,
+who drove back the crowds, and arrangements
+were made to keep a guard on duty all
+night till an examination of the wrecked machine
+could be made.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258'></a>258</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“The accident, if it had to happen, could not
+have occurred more conveniently, so to speak,”
+Dr. Perkins confided to his companions as they
+followed Mr. Studley to a handsome house not
+far away. “Mr. Studley is a manufacturer of
+aëroplanes, and has started a factory here, so
+that very probably we can get material to repair
+our damages without much trouble.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This was good news indeed to the boys, who
+had begun to fear that the trip might be abandoned.
+</p>
+<p>
+They enjoyed a good dinner and a change into
+dry clothes as the guests of Mr. Studley and his
+wife, and bright and early the next morning repairs
+were made to the splintered wing tip, which
+was not so badly damaged as had at first appeared.
+Mr. Studley, who had provided workmen
+and materials for the task from his aëroplane
+factory, refused to hear of any compensation.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Such services should be rendered freely and
+gladly by one birdman to another,” he declared
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259'></a>259</span>
+laughingly. “Who knows that some day I may
+not drop in on you at your island, in more senses
+than one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As every trace of the storm had vanished, and
+the morning was bright and clear, no obstacle opposed
+itself to the continuance of their journey
+as soon as the repairs had been completed. So
+fine was the weather, in fact, that Mr. Studley
+declared his intention of accompanying them in
+a light “runabout” aëroplane of the monoplane
+class, for a short distance.
+</p>
+<p>
+The machine, a pretty little affair of the Bleriot
+type, was soon wheeled out, and Mr. Studley
+declared all was ready for the start. As on the
+evening before, a large crowd had gathered, but
+the police kept them back, and gave the two vastly
+different aëroplanes a clear field in which to rise.
+A greater contrast could not well be imagined
+than that presented by the heavy, rather cumbersome-looking
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> with her substantial underbody
+and huge wing spread, and the trim,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260'></a>260</span>
+dainty little monoplane, which was named the
+<em>Green Firefly</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re all ready when you are,” exclaimed Dr.
+Perkins, turning to his friend, who was already
+seated in his long-bodied, gauzy-winged air craft.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right! Clear the way!” cried Mr. Studley
+with a wave of his hands.
+</p>
+<p>
+His mechanics gave the propeller of the monoplane
+a twirl, as it was not provided with self-starting
+mechanism, and a moment later the roaring
+fusillade of the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> motor was
+drowning the sharp, angry, hornet-like buzzing
+of the <em>Green Firefly</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Go!” yelled Mr. Studley, and simultaneously,
+as it seemed, the two sky ships dashed forward
+over the smooth sward.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hooray!” shouted the crowd.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’re off!” shouted others.
+</p>
+<p>
+And then, a minute later:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look! They’re going up!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So they are!” cried the spectators, as if there
+was any room for doubt about the matter.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261'></a>261</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The light <em>Firefly</em> was first, by the fraction of
+a second, to point her sharp nose up toward the
+tranquil blue dome of the sky. But the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+was not tardy in following.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on!” shouted Mr. Studley, casting a
+swift glance back over his shoulder at his large
+comrade of the air. He appeared to think that
+he would have little difficulty in distancing the
+huge machine.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We haven’t begun yet!” cried Dr. Perkins
+back to him, with an answering wave of the
+hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nor was the <em>Sea Eagle</em> as yet making a quarter
+of the speed she was capable of. On account
+of her great weight, and general size of her wing
+spread, it was not advisable to “open everything
+up” at once when she made an ascent from the
+land.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Firefly</em> darted ahead like some creature
+that rejoiced to be sporting in its element. But
+close behind came a roar and whirr as Frank let
+out another notch on the <em>Sea Eagle</em>. Up and up
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262'></a>262</span>
+they flew, while the crowd below dwindled to
+pigmies, and the houses looked like so many toy
+Noah’s Arks. It was plain enough that Mr.
+Studley was engaged in a good-natured effort to
+show his friend that the <em>Firefly</em> was an infinitely
+faster craft than her cumbersome rival. He
+darted this way and that, making spirals and
+doing rocking-chair evolutions with the perfection
+of aërial grace.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins attempted none of these stunts,
+but from time to time he turned back to Frank
+and nodded as a signal to give the craft a little
+more power.
+</p>
+<p>
+By the time the twin propellers were developing
+their top push and speed, the owner of the
+<em>Firefly</em> realized that he had a tussle on his hands.
+He ceased his graceful evolutions and settled
+down to real flying. But he had not gone a mile
+over the aërial race track before the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+thundered past him like a “Limited” of the skies.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good-by and thank you!” Dr. Perkins found
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263'></a>263</span>
+time to yell, as they flashed past, bound due
+south once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good-by. Good luck to you!” came from Mr.
+Studley, as he waved his hand in the realization
+that he was beaten.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was no time to exchange more words.
+In a few minutes the boys, looking back, could
+only see a black speck like a shoe button against
+the sky to mark where the defeated <em>Firefly</em> was
+turning about and heading for home.
+</p>
+<p>
+As for the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, at sixty miles an hour,
+and with her motor going faster every minute,
+that staunch and speedy craft was winging her
+way at top speed for her distant goal.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264'></a>264</span><a name='chXXVI' id='chXXVI'></a>CHAPTER XXVI.—THE BOY AVIATORS’ PLUCK.</h2>
+<p>
+But it was almost a week later that the 1,400
+odd miles down the coast to Fernandina, Florida,
+and from thence overland to the Crescent City,
+were completed. Storms and minor accidents
+spun out the voyage to this length, although Dr.
+Perkins had calculated on making a faster run.
+In fact, his aim had been to make about 500 miles
+a day, with night flights to help out, if possible.
+</p>
+<p>
+Many interesting incidents, which it would require
+another volume to chronicle in detail,
+marked the trip. Off Savannah the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+towed a disabled motor boat, containing a pleasure
+party, into port, and a short time later flew
+above the Atlantic squadron of the United States
+fleet bound south for target practice. Aërial
+greetings were exchanged by wireless between
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265'></a>265</span>
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> and Uncle Sam’s bulldogs of the
+ocean.
+</p>
+<p>
+The next day the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was once more
+enabled to render aërial ambulance service by
+taking an injured keeper from a lighthouse off
+Fernandina into port, and arranging for a substitute
+to be sent out at once. At every city they
+stopped they received a great reception, for by
+this time the flight of the <em>Sea Eagle</em> had received
+the attention of the country through the medium
+of the newspapers.
+</p>
+<p>
+Possibly one incident may be worth chronicling
+in more detail. This occurred when, a
+short time after rising for a night flight from
+Eufala, Alabama, to the Mississippi State line,
+Frank descried, through some trees, what he
+thought was the rising moon.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s the funniest-looking moon I ever saw,”
+declared Harry, who happened to be doing duty
+as engineer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, what’s the matter with it?” demanded
+Frank.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266'></a>266</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, it’s red.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Probably caused by the mist from some
+marshlands,” decided Dr. Perkins, who was resting,
+while Frank guided the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, at which
+he had become quite expert. But the next moment
+he changed his opinion.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It isn’t the moon at all. It’s the glare from a
+fire, and a big one, too. Let’s hurry up, boys.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Neither Frank nor Harry needed any urging,
+and the <em>Sea Eagle</em> was soon traversing the air so
+fast that the wind sang in their ears. As they
+raced along the glare grew brighter and angrier,
+glowing with a lambent red core from which
+flames could be seen leaping skyward like a nest
+of fiery serpents.
+</p>
+<p>
+A few minutes brought them into full view of
+the conflagration. It proved to be a fine old
+farm-house. The front of the place was a mass
+of flame, and the blaze appeared to be bursting
+through the roof. Men could be seen running
+about the grounds like a nest of disturbed ants,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267'></a>267</span>
+and others were hastening on foot, in autos and
+in buggies, from every direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nobody paid any attention to the oncoming
+aëroplane in the excitement, and when it dropped
+to earth on the lawn in front of the blazing
+building, there was the liveliest sort of confusion.
+Some of the farmers did not know what to make
+of the visitor from the skies, but their more enlightened
+neighbors soon informed them, and recalled
+the newspaper accounts they had read of
+the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> great flight.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Anybody in the building?” shouted Frank,
+jumping from the <em>Sea Eagle</em> as the craft came
+to a standstill.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nobody answered for a moment, but suddenly,
+from the back of the building, came a piercing
+scream.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Help! Help!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Goodness, that’s a woman calling!” exclaimed
+Frank. “Come on, Harry.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Both boys dashed round to the rear of the
+blazing mansion, and there, at a third-story window,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268'></a>268</span>
+they saw a woman with a baby in her arms,
+leaning out and frantically calling for help.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Get a ladder!” shouted Frank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No time to hunt for it,” cried Harry. “We’ll
+have to try another way.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you mean?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“See the flat roof of that coach house over
+there? If we had a board we could make a
+bridge from it to the window.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But how are we to get to the roof of the
+coach house?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Fly there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What! in the <em>Sea Eagle</em>?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why not? The roof is flat and big enough
+to give us room to land if we are careful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cracky! I think you’re right. Has anybody
+got a board?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here you are,” exclaimed a man who had
+darted off to a lumber pile when he overheard
+Harry’s plan.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good! I think this will be long enough.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269'></a>269</span>
+Come on, Harry, let’s lose no time. See, the
+flames are almost at that part of the house.”
+</p>
+<p>
+At top speed the two boys ran back to the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em>, calling to Dr. Perkins to join them. Hastily
+they explained what they meant to do. Dr.
+Perkins was inclined to doubt if the plan was
+feasible, but as it appeared to be the only way
+to save the woman and the child, he agreed to
+attempt it, grave though the risk of disaster to
+the <em>Sea Eagle</em> appeared to be.
+</p>
+<p>
+While the excited men gathered about, and the
+woman’s cries still filled the air, the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+was started up, and after circling about, dropped
+to the coach house roof. The big craft landed
+without mishap, but Frank reversed the engines
+barely in time to prevent her from rolling off.
+However, with the front wheels of the substructure
+on the very brink of the cornice, the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> came obediently to a standstill.
+</p>
+<p>
+They had brought the board with them, and it
+was shoved across to the woman, who saw at
+once what they intended to do. She secured it
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270'></a>270</span>
+to the ledge of the window at which she had
+been standing, and Frank worked his way across
+the plank bridge and took the child in his arms.
+He recrossed in safety with it, and then came
+the woman’s turn to trust herself to the frail
+bridge. But she hesitated till smoke was pouring
+into the room, and then, fairly driven to try
+the slender support, she began to cross it.
+</p>
+<p>
+From the coach house roof the boys called encouragingly
+to her, for the plank was far too
+weak to bear the weight of two persons. Even
+under Frank and the baby it had sagged ominously.
+Something in the woman’s face as she
+neared the end of her journey caused Frank to
+reach out toward her. It was well that he had
+the foresight to do so, for as she reached the end
+of her journey she suddenly fainted.
+</p>
+<p>
+Another instant and she would have fallen
+forty feet to the ground, but Frank caught her
+dress in a strong grip. Luckily, it was of stout
+material and did not rip as he seized it. Dr.
+Perkins and Harry came to his aid the next minute,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271'></a>271</span>
+and with their united strength they managed
+to draw the woman’s limp form to safety.
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly had they done so before the flames began
+breaking out fiercely from the back of the
+house, and, driven by the strong wind, they were
+uncomfortably close to the coach house roof. No
+time was lost in placing the woman and her infant
+in the <em>Sea Eagle</em>, after which the air craft
+was started. Dr. Perkins rose to a suitable
+height from which to make a safe descent, and
+then swept down to the ground, carrying the first
+woman and child in the history of the world to
+be saved from a blazing building by aëroplane.
+</p>
+<p>
+The woman soon recovered after some friends
+of the neighborhood had taken her and her child
+to a nearby dwelling.
+</p>
+<p>
+The owner of the building, and the husband
+of the woman who had been so bravely rescued,
+now came bustling up, his face beaming with
+gratitude. At the moment he was not thinking
+of the fire but of the brave strangers from the
+sky who had saved his wife and child.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272'></a>272</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know who you are, or where you
+came from,” he exclaimed, “but you literally
+dropped from the skies when all hope appeared
+lost. I was in town buying stock, and on my way
+out I saw the flames coming from my home.
+Knowing my wife and child had retired I dreaded
+to think what would have happened if they had
+not been aroused. I arrived here in time to find
+my worst fears realized. How can I ever thank
+you for what you have done?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, we only tried to do what we could,” said
+Frank modestly; “we saw the fire and came down
+to see if we couldn’t help.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I owe the lives of my wife and child to your
+quickness and courage, and that wonderful airship
+of yours,” vehemently declared the man,
+whose name was Winfield Thomas, a wealthy
+farmer. “It was a real blessing you happened
+along as you did.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins and the boys could only repeat
+how glad they were to have done what they could.
+Without waiting much longer, except to congratulate
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273'></a>273</span>
+Mrs. Thomas on her quick recovery, and
+to express the hope that she would feel no bad
+effects from her experience, the voyage was
+shortly resumed. But the adventure at the burning
+farm house long remained in the boys’ memory,
+and strengthened their attachment to the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em>.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nearing New Orleans they caught a wireless
+message from Billy Barnes telling them that he
+had secured quarters for the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in Algiers,
+a suburb across the river from the city.
+That night one stage of the trip was concluded
+when, in answer to a signal given with a blue
+lamp, they dropped into a field on the outskirts
+of Algiers and housed the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in a large
+barn.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thunder and turtles!” cried Pudge when that
+night in the St. Charles Hotel they were relating
+their adventures. “You fellows have all the fun
+and we do all the work.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never mind, Pudge,” said Frank; “I guess
+we’ll have adventures in plenty ahead of us when
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274'></a>274</span>
+we try to locate the wreck of the <em>Belle of New
+Orleans</em>.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Which will be as soon as possible,” said Dr.
+Perkins. “Our trip has taken us longer than I
+anticipated, and there is a strong chance that
+Duval may have got ahead of us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s another reason for hurrying,” declared
+Billy, who had just wired to his paper a
+long account of the <em>Sea Eagle’s</em> trip; “they say
+that the river is rising. There have been unprecedented
+rainstorms and the levees are weakening.
+Negroes are at work on them all along
+the line, but they doubt if they can make them
+hold if the river keeps rising.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275'></a>275</span><a name='chXXVII' id='chXXVII'></a>CHAPTER XXVII.—CAPTURED BY AËROPLANE.</h2>
+<p>
+During the short time that they had been in
+the city Ben Stubbs and his two young companions
+had done wonders in the way of collecting
+equipment for the purpose of rifling the treasure
+which it was expected lay in the submerged hulk
+of the <em>Belle of New Orleans</em>. A diving suit with
+pumping apparatus of the latest type, blocks and
+tackles and hand spikes were among the things
+laid in stock. Ben had also invested in a new
+device, a submarine searchlight. The choice of
+this last was warmly approved by Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I was wondering how it would be possible
+to find one’s way about the sunken ship without
+some such article,” he said approvingly, and old
+Ben’s rugged face glowed with satisfaction.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Trust an old timer, sir, for remembering
+those things,” he said.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276'></a>276</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Indeed, nobody could have selected a more
+complete outfit,” rejoined Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+The inventory of the goods was taken the next
+morning, and hiring a boat the stuff was transported
+to Algiers, where the <em>Sea Eagle</em> had been
+looked after over night by a couple of darkies.
+</p>
+<p>
+As they crossed the river in a hired boat they
+noticed how swiftly the current ran and how discolored
+it was. The negro who rowed them commented
+on it, too.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dey be po’ful big flood befo’ long, genelmen,”
+he opined, “an’ when ole man Mississip’ git up
+on his hind lags ain’t nuffin’ kin stop him. Dem
+lebees dey go jes lak so much straw er hay.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“All the more reason for our making haste,”
+said Dr. Perkins, addressing the others; “it would
+be hard fortune indeed if Ben were to be robbed
+of his fortune by a flood.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The shed which had sheltered the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+overnight was close to the water’s edge so that
+the goods were soon transported on board. All
+was found to be in good shape, and the two darkies,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277'></a>277</span>
+who had watched the air craft overnight, received
+an extra gratuity for their pains. The
+adventurers had been particular not to give out
+any details of their flight, and it was expected
+that they would stay in New Orleans for some
+days before proceeding, so that no curious crowd,
+only a few negroes and stragglers, were on hand
+to see them start.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins had an excellent chart of the river,
+showing distinctly the location of Black Bayou,
+which lay back from the river amidst a maze of
+other wriggly creeks and water courses. The
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em> had been on her way to a
+“far back” plantation to pick up cotton, when she
+blew up, which accounted for the wreck being
+submerged in such an out of the way place.
+</p>
+<p>
+As they flew along the river, but far above it,
+they could see human beings, busy as ants, working
+along the levees, strengthening them against
+the dreaded floods which already had devastated
+whole sections of country in Ohio and farther up
+the mighty stream. At length the course of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278'></a>278</span>
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> was changed till she was flying over a
+perfect maze of water courses and bayous, winding
+in and out of a dense forest. From above, it
+looked like a lace work of water overlying a piece
+of dark green plush.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the map showed a landmark for Black
+Bayou. Harry’s plan was marked “Ruined plantation
+house and sugar mill.” Frank was the
+first to spy out this important “bearing.” The
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> was at that time not very far up, and
+the gaunt walls and desolate overgrown buildings
+of the once prosperous place could be seen clearly.
+“Giant cypress with three forks,” was the next
+marking, and, sure enough, on a little patch of
+an island, not far from the ruined plantation,
+they presently saw a gaunt dead tree answering
+this description.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bayous and bullfrogs! We’re getting hot
+now!” cried Pudge excitedly. “Ben, I believe
+that that rascal was telling the truth after all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m inclined to think so, too, Master Pudge,”
+rejoined Ben; “and look—look there—that must
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279'></a>279</span>
+be the Catfish Island marked on the plan. See,
+it’s just the shape of one of them critters.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So it is, Ben,” cried Frank, peering down.
+“Goodness, this <em>is</em> exciting, though. Just think,
+in a short time we shall know if our flight for a
+fortune is——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A fizzle or not,” interrupted the slangy
+Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Right off Catfish Island two points to the
+north,” read out Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Perkins glanced at the compass and
+slightly altered the direction of the <em>Sea Eagle;</em>
+then he allowed the great craft to drop gently to
+rest on the waters of Black Bayou.
+</p>
+<p>
+Harry referred to the plan again.
+</p>
+<p>
+“North a hundred yards to the Lone Pine
+Island.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There it is,” cried Frank, indicating a small
+spot of land on which a dead pine reared its bare
+trunk.
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly had he spoken when a canoe shot round
+a bend in a small bayou just ahead of them, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280'></a>280</span>
+a wild-looking man, who had been paddling it,
+checked his frail craft. His unkempt whiskers
+covered him almost to his waist, and his clothes
+were ragged to a degree. But none of them
+thought of this as the swamp dweller so unexpectedly
+came into view.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Is this the Black Bayou?” they cried almost
+in chorus.
+</p>
+<p>
+The other nodded and stared wildly and half
+in alarm at the strange-looking craft that confronted
+him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“<em>Oui!</em> Thees Black Bayou,” he rejoined in
+soft, broken accents; “what you want, eh?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did you ever hear tell of the <em>Belle of New
+Orleans?</em>” asked Ben, in a voice that shook with
+suppressed excitement.
+</p>
+<p>
+To his astonishment the Acadian—for the
+weird figure in the boat was one of those strange
+dwellers of the cypress swamps—burst into a
+loud laugh.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh ho! Oh ho!” he cackled; “what you want
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281'></a>281</span>
+wid zee <em>Belle of New Orleans</em>, eh? What you
+want weez her?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben hesitated, and before he could reply the
+other burst into another weird cackling laugh,
+and held up a small object.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You want zee pearl, zee gold, hey? Zey all
+gone! See, I have one. Zee men who come here
+two day ago give it me for help zem. Adieu!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Before anybody on the <em>Sea Eagle</em> could utter
+a word the fellow gave a deft stroke of his paddle
+and his canoe shot off into the trackless paths of
+the swamps.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, what under the sun!” burst out Frank,
+while Pudge weakly ejaculated:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Centipedes and spongecakes!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s all clear enough,” exclaimed Ben bitterly.
+“Those ruffians got ahead of us. That ’Cadian
+took them to the scene of the wreck and they’ve
+rifled it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That was undoubtedly a black pearl he held
+up,” said Dr. Perkins in a faint voice. “I suppose
+they gave him that for guiding them here.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282'></a>282</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The sudden shriek of a high-crested kingfisher
+made them look up suddenly. The bird
+was darting from tree to tree on an island at a
+little distance. Suddenly something that lay at
+the foot of a tree caught Ben’s sharp eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s that? That glittering thing yonder?”
+he exclaimed, pointing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Easy enough to see,” said Dr. Perkins, starting
+up the <em>Sea Eagle</em> for the little island.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a diving helmet!” cried Frank as they
+drew closer to the object, “just look, the rascals
+must have left it there after they got the treasure
+out of the sunken wreck. I guess they
+thought that as they were so rich they need not
+bother with it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+They landed on the island as disconsolate and
+downcast a band of treasure hunters as ever set
+foot on the site of a treasure trove. Abundant
+evidences of a camp were all about them. The
+ashes of a fire, and scraps of food and paper.
+One of these caught Frank’s attention. It was
+a fragment of newspaper, and what had challenged
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283'></a>283</span>
+Frank’s notice was that a band of red ink
+had been drawn around some printing on it.
+Frank read the marked portion with a somewhat
+vague curiosity. For the moment he did not
+realize what an important clew he had stumbled
+upon. Then it rushed upon him with full force.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben and the others were on the shore of the
+island pointing down into the muddy waters of
+the bayou.
+</p>
+<p>
+The earth was trampled in the vicinity, and
+showed plainly that the miscreants who had
+stolen the treasure had carried on their operations
+from that point of the bank.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Down thar somewhar’ lies the wreck of the
+<em>Belle of New Orleans</em>,” said Ben, shaking his
+head dolefully, and pointing into the black current;
+“but it ain’t going to do us no good, mates.
+It ain’t going to do us no good; them sea skunks
+has got ahead of us for fair.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was at this point that Frank’s shout interrupted
+them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is it?” cried Dr. Perkins.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284'></a>284</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“This paper. Come here. I think it’s a clew
+to where they have gone.”
+</p>
+<p>
+They crowded about him while Frank read out
+from the marked paper.
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘The new South American Commerce Company’s
+steamer <em>Buenos Aires</em> sails to-morrow for
+the latter port. She is a fast, capable craft and
+will make a direct run to the Argentine. The
+inauguration of this service is a distinct addition
+to the commercial importance of New Orleans
+and establishes new trade relations with South
+America.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Very pretty,” said Ben; “but what does it
+prove?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, I don’t see much of a clew in that,” put
+in Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Frank raised his hand to command silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Listen a minute,” he said. “Of course, I may
+be altogether wrong, but it seems to me that the
+reason this paragraph is marked is because those
+fellows meant to sail on this very boat.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285'></a>285</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Ben brought his hand down on his knee with a
+resounding whack.
+</p>
+<p>
+“By hookey, lad!” he roared; “that’s reason.
+That’s solid sense and reason.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is the date of that paper?” asked Dr.
+Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Luckily the paragraph was torn off from the
+top of the page,” said Frank, “and the date of
+the issue is legible. It is dated yesterday.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then the <em>Buenos Aires</em> sailed this morning?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; that’s the way it looks.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And while we are wasting time here she is
+heading down the river for the open sea,”
+groaned Harry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can’t we wireless to New Orleans and find
+out?” asked Pudge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s a mighty good idea, Pudge,” said his
+father, “but the set we have on the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+wouldn’t carry as far as that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then let’s get on board again and fly back as
+quickly as possible. We are only wasting time
+here,” said Frank.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286'></a>286</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+His suggestion was quickly acted upon, and
+the voyagers reëmbarked. They were a very
+different party from the pleasantly excited expedition
+that had set out that morning so full of
+hope and enterprise. Frank alone kept up his
+spirits. He sat constantly at the wireless as they
+winged their way back to New Orleans, incessantly
+trying to get into communication.
+</p>
+<p>
+At last he caught the operator of the Harbor
+Master’s office. Instantly he flashed his
+query:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did <em>Buenos Aires</em> sail this a. m.?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. Ship sailed early to-day.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Where will she be now?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“About off Fort Jackson, near the mouth of
+the river,” came the reply. “She has wireless,
+but it is out of order, so that I can’t tell you exactly
+where she is right now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thanks!” flashed Frank and disconnected.
+</p>
+<p>
+He quickly communicated his tidings, and immediately
+a hasty, excited consultation followed.
+The result of it was that Dr. Perkins decided to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287'></a>287</span>
+ground the <em>Sea Eagle</em> in Algiers. This done, Ben
+would swear out a warrant before the most available
+justice, and then, if they could find a deputy
+nervy enough to make the trip, he was to be taken
+on board the <em>Sea Eagle</em> and the <em>Buenos Aires</em>
+overtaken before she got beyond the jurisdiction
+of the State.
+</p>
+<p>
+But after landing in Algiers these plans were
+changed. It was decided instead to swear out a
+federal warrant, as there was grave danger of
+the ship getting out of the State’s power before
+they could overtake her. On the extraordinary
+circumstances being related to him, the U. S.
+Commissioner at New Orleans readily granted
+the warrant for the arrest of all three of the
+rascals. It now remained only to find a Deputy
+U. S. Marshal courageous enough to make the
+trip through the air.
+</p>
+<p>
+The only one available seemed a bit doubtful.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A trip in an aëroplane!” he said. “I’ve never
+taken such a journey and I’m scared of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288'></a>288</span>
+blessed things. You see, I’ve got a wife and
+family, and——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t be afraid. There’s really no danger,
+and we’ll be over water most of the way,” urged
+Dr. Perkins.
+</p>
+<p>
+The deputy seemed to come to a sudden conclusion.
+His eyes snapped and his lips tightened.
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right, I’ll go with you!” he suddenly cried.
+“Wait till I ’phone the missus and I’m your man.
+Those rascals played you a mean trick, and I’d
+like to see you win out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The hearts of the adventurers gave a bound
+of hope. There was a chance of seeing justice
+come into its own, after all.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+<p>
+The <em>Buenos Aires</em>, a fine ship of five thousand
+or more tons, dropped rapidly down the river.
+She had few cabin passengers, and of these only
+three were on deck. The remainder were in their
+cabins putting their belongings to rights.
+</p>
+<p>
+These three men were the elder Daniels, his
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289'></a>289</span>
+loutish son and Duval. But they all wore smart
+new clothes, and Duval had shaved off his mustache.
+As for the two Daniels, it is an example
+of what clothes can do to say that they looked
+more like prosperous, rather countryfied commission
+dealers than rugged fishermen from Maine.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Let’s have a look at them pearls again,” Daniels
+was saying, after he had given a cautious
+glance about him to make sure they were not
+observed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval reached into his pocket and drew out a
+canvas bag. From it he poured out a number of
+black, lustrous objects, catching them in a cupped
+hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Twenty of the beauties,” he exclaimed;
+“twenty black pearls—the rarest gems that come
+out of the ocean.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What are they worth again?” asked the elder
+Daniels, licking his lips anticipatively.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thirty thousand dollars at the least.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Jiminy! Hold me, some one!” sputtered Zeb.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And that, counting the gold dust in the cabin,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290'></a>290</span>
+makes a fortune of close upon seventy-five thousand
+dollars we got out of that old hulk, don’t
+it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s right,” answered Duval; “you fellows
+did a good day’s work for yourselves when you
+knocked me on the head in that hut.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Waal, I should say so. Let’s go below and
+look at that gold again. I kin hardly keep my
+fingers frum touching it. We’re rich, boys, we’re
+rich!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The three worthies disappeared below after
+Duval had carefully replaced the black pearls in
+their bag. It was some hours later when they
+came up again and the ship was passing the Port
+Ead’s light.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re safe now,” exclaimed Duval in a low
+tone; “even if they do discover the trick we’ve
+put up on em, they could never catch us now. In
+another two hours we’ll be out on the gulf and by
+to-morrow we’ll be out of reach of any one in
+Yankeeland.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291'></a>291</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hulloo, what’s up astern?” asked Zeb suddenly.
+“What are they all pointing at?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pointing at? What do you mean?” demanded
+Duval, suspicious as are most guilty consciences
+of anything unusual.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Something in the sky. Hark! They are
+shouting!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“<em>Something in the sky!</em>”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval’s face went white. His knees shook.
+By a flash of guilty intuition he had guessed what
+that something was, even if the next minute a
+shout had not split the air.
+</p>
+<p>
+“An aëroplane! It’s an aëroplane!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Duval’s knees quivered under him. He trembled
+like a man with the palsy. Old Daniels came
+up to him hastily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Duval, they’ve sighted one of them airyoplanes—you
+don’t think——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, I don’t <em>think</em>. I know,” choked out Duval,
+“they are after us. Hark!”
+</p>
+<p>
+From the distance came the sound of shots
+high up in the air. In reply to the signal—for
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292'></a>292</span>
+such it was—the <em>Buenos Aires’</em> whistle emitted
+three long, mournful toots. Her engines began
+to slow down. As Duval felt the steamer’s speed
+check he dashed below to his cabin. As for Daniels,
+he stood rooted to the spot, his lips moving,
+but no speech coming from them. Zeb was nowhere
+to be seen.
+</p>
+<p>
+Up on the <em>Buenos Aires’</em> lofty flying bridge
+her officers, in the meantime, had been almost
+equally excited. They had seen the aëroplane
+some time before; but as nowadays such craft
+are a fairly common sight, they had not paid
+overmuch attention to it. It was not till the
+unusual size of the craft was revealed that they
+scrutinized it closely.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then, as the big winged man-bird swung above
+the steamer’s masts, had come the quick six pistol
+shots. An imperative signal, rightly interpreted
+“Stop!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The whistle had replied and the vessel’s way
+been checked as the jangling signals sounded in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293'></a>293</span>
+the engine-room, and “Slow down” flashed up
+on the telegraph.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you want?” hailed the captain
+through a megaphone, as the <em>Sea Eagle</em>—for of
+course our readers have guessed the identity of
+the craft of the air—swung above him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We want to board you with a United States
+warrant!” came the startling reply from midair.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A warrant! For some of my passengers?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes; for three men whom we have reason to
+believe booked passage as Daniel Maine and son
+and another one who calls himself Francis Le
+Blanc.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I have three such men on board and recognize
+the authority of the United States. How will
+you board me?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll come alongside.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The captain looked as if he didn’t understand
+how this was going to be done, but gave orders
+to stop the ship, drop anchor and lower the gangway.
+This was done, and the <em>Sea Eagle</em> dropped
+to the water alongside with perfect precision. In
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294'></a>294</span>
+the meantime, the wildest excitement reigned on
+board. Rumors flew thick and fast as to the errand
+of the men from the air.
+</p>
+<p>
+Lest it should be wondered how Dr. Perkins
+and his companions knew the names under which
+the three rascals had sailed, we had better clear
+this matter up. Before embarking in the <em>Sea
+Eagle</em> in pursuit of the <em>Buenos Aires</em>, a passenger
+list had been obtained from the offices of the
+steamship company. It will be recalled that
+Francis Le Blanc was the alias, or false name,
+which Duval had used when in the employ of
+Mr. Sterrett on the yacht <em>Wanderer</em>. This gave
+them a clew, and when they came across the
+names Daniel Maine and son, booked for an adjoining
+cabin, there remained small doubt that
+those names concealed the two Daniels.
+</p>
+<p>
+The <em>Sea Eagle</em> was soon made fast, and Marshal
+Howell, followed by Dr. Perkins and the two
+Boy Aviators, sprang up the gangway. The
+others they had been compelled to leave behind,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295'></a>295</span>
+as, with the three prisoners to carry back, the
+<em>Sea Eagle</em> would have been overcrowded.
+</p>
+<p>
+As they reached the top of the gangway Captain
+Stow and his officers advanced to meet them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“To what am I indebted for the honor of this
+visit?” asked the seaman.
+</p>
+<p>
+The marshal showed his authority and his warrant.
+</p>
+<p>
+“We don’t wish to detain you longer than necessary,
+captain,” he said, “so will you have us
+shown to their cabins?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The captain himself led the way below, and
+conducted them down a corridor to the stern of
+the ship. As they reached the end of the passage
+a door was thrust suddenly open and a bullet
+whizzed past Frank’s head. At the same instant
+Zeb’s figure appeared in the doorway.
+</p>
+<p>
+But before he could fire another shot the marshal
+had wrested the pistol from him and burst
+into the cabin. Frank was close behind him. At
+a port hole was Duval; he had something in his
+hand and was just about to hurl it out of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296'></a>296</span>
+port hole, when Frank, in one bound, was at his
+side and had his arm captive. With a snarl like
+a wounded wild beast Duval turned on him, whipping
+out a knife as he did so. But before any
+harm could be done, Dr. Perkins seized and disarmed
+him.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was speedily found that the bag which
+Frank had saved was the one containing the
+black pearls which Duval, in his extremity, had
+determined to throw away rather than let any
+one else gain their possession. The Marshal
+slipped the handcuffs on Zeb and Duval, who
+submitted sullenly to arrest. It was not till then
+that their thoughts turned to the elder Daniels.
+He was not in his cabin, and search of the ship
+failed to reveal him. The mystery was soon to
+be explained, however.
+</p>
+<p>
+A boat with a colored oarsman had been lying
+alongside the steamer waiting to take off the
+pilot. In the confusion old Daniels had opened
+the bag of gold dust, selected a packet, and, dropping
+into the boat, told the negro to row him
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297'></a>297</span>
+ashore to secure help for the officers. The negro
+naturally supposed that he was acting under
+proper instructions, and put the old fisherman
+ashore. He was never heard of again.
+</p>
+<p>
+Zeb and Duval sullenly refused to utter a
+word, but ultimately, after their return to New
+Orleans, Frank had an interview with Duval in
+his prison cell, in which he made a clean breast of
+everything. From Bayhaven they had hastened
+south by fast trains, stopping on the way to buy
+diving dress. The Acadian whom the boys had
+encountered in the swamps had guided them to
+the scene of the wreck, receiving one black pearl
+as his reward.
+</p>
+<p>
+Of the voyage back from the <em>Buenos Aires</em>
+with the two prisoners not much can be said. It
+was made at a good rate of speed, and both
+Duval and Zeb were docile. Indeed, there was
+no use in their being otherwise. On account of
+his youth and the pleadings of Dr. Perkins and
+the boys, Zeb got a light sentence in a reformatory
+institution, and it is hoped that he will prove
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298'></a>298</span>
+a far better character when he gets out. Duval
+was more severely dealt with, but even he got off
+more lightly than he deserved, thanks to the
+clemency of the people he had wronged.
+</p>
+<p>
+And so ends the story of the Boy Aviators’
+Flight for a Fortune in the most wonderful aëroplane
+constructed up to date. But no doubt, in
+the rapid march of events, even the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+will soon be surpassed. Already, while this book
+goes to press, plans are being made by no less
+than four separate aviators to dare the terrors of
+a transatlantic passage. Whether they will succeed
+or not is in the lap of the future, but the
+author is certain that some day flights across
+“The Pond” at seventy or eighty miles an hour
+will be so common as to attract but small attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+Some of my readers doubtless wish to know
+how Ben disposed of his fortune. Well, part of
+it he wisely invested in real estate, and the rest
+he is thinking of putting into the company Dr.
+Perkins has formed to manufacture <em>Sea Eagles</em>.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299'></a>299</span>
+Mr. Sterrett is a member of the company, and so
+are the Boy Aviators. Naturally Ben’s keen wish
+to have them share some of his good fortune was
+refused, for, as we know, the Boy Aviators’ adventures
+in the past had netted them a good
+share of this world’s goods. Billy Barnes is publicity
+agent at a good salary for the <em>Sea Eagle</em>
+Company, Ltd., and the work just suits his
+tastes. As for Pudge, he is as hard a worker as
+anybody at the plant on Brig Island, learning
+the business “from the bottom up.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And so, wishing them well in their future undertakings,
+we will here take leave for the present
+of our friends, until we hear of them again
+in the next volume, entitled “The Boy Aviators
+with the Air Raiders.”
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p>THE END.</p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+The Boy Aviators in Nicaragua
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, Leagued With Insurgents
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks
+the inauguration of a new era in boys’ books—the
+“wonders of modern science” epoch. Frank and Harry
+Chester, the <span class='sc'>Boy Aviators</span>, are the heroes of this exciting,
+red-blooded tale of adventure by air and land in
+the turbulent Central American republic. The two
+brothers with their $10,000 prize aeroplane, the <span class='sc'>Golden
+Eagle</span>, rescue a chum from death in the clutches of the
+Nicaraguans, discover a lost treasure valley of the ancient
+Toltec race, and in so doing almost lose their own
+lives in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have many
+other exciting experiences, including being blown far
+out to sea in their air-skimmer in a tropical storm. It
+would be unfair to divulge the part that wireless plays
+in rescuing them from their predicament. In a brand
+new field of fiction for boys the Chester brothers and
+their aeroplane seem destined to fill a top-notch place.
+These books are technically correct, wholesomely thrilling
+and geared up to third speed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, Working With Wireless
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure,
+laid in the Everglades of Florida, the
+spunky Chester Boys and their interesting
+chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon,
+encounter exciting experiences on Uncle Sam’s
+service in a novel field. One must read this
+vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship
+and pluck to get an idea of the almost limitless
+possibilities of the two greatest inventions
+of modern times—the aeroplane and wireless
+telegraphy. While gripping and holding the
+reader’s breathless attention from the opening
+words to the finish, this swift-moving story is
+at the same time instructive and uplifting. As
+those readers who have already made friends
+with Frank and Harry Chester and their
+“bunch” know, there are few difficulties, no
+matter how insurmountable they may seem at
+first blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths
+cannot overcome with flying colors. A clean-cut,
+real boys’ book of high voltage.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail
+</p>
+<p>
+In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made
+famous by the American explorer Stanley, and ex-President
+Roosevelt, our old friends, the Chester Boys and
+their stalwart chums. In Africa—the Dark Continent—the
+author follows in exciting detail his young heroes,
+their voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious
+forests and unexplored ranges of the mystic land.
+In this book, too, for the first time, we entertain Luther
+Barr, the old New York millionaire, who proved later
+such an implacable enemy of the boys. The story of his
+defeated schemes, of the astonishing things the boys discovered
+in the Mountains of the Moon, of the pathetic
+fate of George Desmond, the emulator of Stanley, the
+adventure of the Flying Men and the discovery of the
+Arabian Ivory cache,—this is not the place to speak. It
+would be spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to reveal
+the outcome of all these episodes here. It may be said,
+however, without “giving away” any of the thrilling
+chapters of this narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton,
+the author, is in it in his best vein, and from his personal
+experiences in Africa has been able to supply a striking
+background for the adventures of his young heroes. As
+one newspaper says of this book: “Here is adventure in
+good measure, pressed down and running over.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, The Golden Galleon
+</p>
+<p>
+Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the
+question of hidden treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton
+has set forth a hunt for gold that is concealed neither
+under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is well hidden
+for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key
+to the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large
+part in the development of the plot of this fascinating
+narrative of treasure hunting in the region of the Gulf
+Stream and the Sargasso Sea. An aeroplane fitted with efficient
+pontoons—enabling her to skim the water successfully—has
+long been a dream of aviators. The Chester
+Boys seem to have solved the problem. The Sargasso
+that strange drifting ocean within an ocean, holding ships
+of a dozen nations and a score of ages, in its relentless
+grip, has been the subject of many books of adventure
+and mystery, but in none has the secret of the ever
+shifting mass of treacherous currents been penetrated as
+it has in the BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST.
+Luther Barr, whom it seemed the boys had shaken off,
+is still on their trail, in this absorbing book and with a
+dirigible balloon, essays to beat them out in their search
+for the Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man—and
+woman and girl—who has ever felt the stirring summons
+of adventure in their souls, had better get hold of this
+book. Once obtained, it will be read and re-read till
+it falls to rags.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, The Rival Aeroplane
+</p>
+<p>
+The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor—an attempt
+to capture a newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight.
+By the time these lines are read, exactly such an offer
+will have been spread broadcast by one of the foremost
+newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, the
+boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile,
+make the dash. But they are not alone in their
+aspirations. Their rivals for the rich prize at stake try
+in every way that they can to circumvent the lads and
+gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. In this
+they stop short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and
+resources of the Boy Aviators to defeat their devices.
+Among the adventures encountered in their cross-country
+flight, the boys fall in with a band of rollicking cowboys—who
+momentarily threaten serious trouble—are attacked
+by Indians, strike the most remarkable town of the
+desert—the “dry” town of “Gow Wells,” encounter a
+sandstorm which blows them into strange lands far to the
+south of their course, and meet with several amusing
+mishaps beside. A thoroughly readable book. The sort
+to take out behind the barn on the sunny side of the haystack,
+and, with a pocketful of juicy apples and your heels
+kicking the air, pass happy hours with Captain Lawton’s
+young heroes.
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+</p>
+<p>
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH
+</p>
+<p>
+Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic
+</p>
+<p>
+If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South
+Polar expedition in charge of the aeronautic department,
+were to penetrate the Antarctic regions—hitherto only
+attained by a few daring explorers—you would feel interested,
+wouldn’t you? Well, in Captain Lawton’s latest
+book, concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only read
+absorbing adventure in the regions south of the eightieth
+parallel, but absorb much useful information as well.
+Captain Lawton introduces—besides the original characters
+of the heroes—a new creation in the person of Professor
+Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker for polar insects.
+The professor’s adventures in his quest are the
+cause of much merriment, and lead once or twice to
+serious predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident
+and peril from cover to cover—relieved with laughable
+mishaps to the professor—it is difficult to single out any
+one feature; still, a recent reader of it wrote the publishers
+an enthusiastic letter the other day, saying: “The
+episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack
+of the condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath,
+the—but what’s the use? The Polar Dash, to my mind,
+is an even more entrancing book than Captain Lawton’s
+previous efforts, and that’s saying a good deal. The aviation
+features and their technical correctness are by no
+means the least attractive features of this up-to-date
+creditable volume.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; CO.—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BOY INVENTORS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Stories of Skill and Ingenuity
+</p>
+<p>
+By RICHARD BONNER
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes
+called the instinct of investigation,—favored
+with golden
+opportunity, and gifted with creative
+ability, the Boy Inventors
+meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest
+and convince the reader because
+they always “work” when put to
+the test.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ VANISHING GUN.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement,
+hope, effort and final success—this is the history of many
+an invention; a history in which excitement, competition,
+danger, despair and persistence figure. This merely suggests
+the circumstances which draw the daring Boy Inventors
+into strange experiences and startling adventures,
+and which demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing
+gun.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BOY INVENTORS’ DIVING TORPEDO BOAT.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new
+and interesting triumphs of mechanism are produced
+which become immediately valuable, and the stage for
+their proving and testing is again the water. On the
+surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun,
+and the story of their serious, purposeful inventions
+challenge the reader’s deepest attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BORDER BOYS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series
+</p>
+<p>
+By FREMONT B. DEERING.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+What it meant to make an enemy
+of Black Ramon De Barios—that is
+the problem that Jack Merrill and
+his friends, including Coyote Pete,
+face in this exciting tale.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Read of the Haunted Mesa and its
+mysteries, of the Subterranean River
+and its strange uses, of the value of
+gasolene and steam “in running the gauntlet,” and you will
+feel that not even the ancient splendors of the Old World
+can furnish a better setting for romantic action than the
+Border of the New.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+As every day is making history—faster, it is said, than
+ever before—so books that keep pace with the changes
+are full of rapid action and accurate facts. This book
+deals with lively times on the Mexican border.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The Border Boys have already had much excitement
+and adventure in their lives, but all this has served to
+prepare them for the experiences related in this volume.
+They are stronger, braver and more resourceful than ever,
+and the exigencies of their life in connection with the
+Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE
+</p>
+<p>
+By DEXTER J. FORRESTER.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+How the Bungalow Boys received
+their title and how they retained the
+right to it in spite of much opposition
+makes a lively narrative for lively boys.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+A real treasure hunt of the most
+thrilling kind, with a sunken Spanish
+galleon as its object, makes a
+subject of intense interest at any
+time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot
+and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings
+strange adventures into the lives of the Bungalow Boys.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys
+from the clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious
+trade they know too much. How the Professor’s invention relieves
+a critical situation is also an exciting incident of this book.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the
+Great Lakes and a visit to an island. A storm and a band
+of wreckers interfere with the serenity of their trip, and a
+submarine adds zest and adventure to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Tales of the New Navy
+</p>
+<p>
+By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+</p>
+<p>
+Author of “BOY AVIATORS SERIES.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Especially interesting and timely
+is this book which introduces the
+reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc,
+to the great ships of modern warfare
+and to the intimate life and surprising
+adventures of Uncle Sam’s sailors.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+In this story real dangers threaten
+and the boys’ patriotism is tested in
+a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the
+South American coast.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this
+story has special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its
+mystery and clever action are fascinating.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned
+and Herc. Their perilous adventures are not confined to the
+air, however, although they make daring and notable flights
+in the name of the Government; nor are they always able
+to fly beyond the reach of their old “enemies,” who are also
+airmen.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Twentieth Century Athletic Stories
+</p>
+<p>
+By MATHEW M. COLTON.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+FRANK ARMSTRONG’S VACATION.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+How Frank’s summer experience
+with his boy friends make
+him into a sturdy young athlete
+through swimming, boating, and
+baseball contests, and a tramp
+through the Everglades, is the
+subject of this splendid story.
+</p>
+<p>
+FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+We find among the jolly boys
+at Queen’s School, Frank, the student-athlete, Jimmy, the
+baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the unconsciously-funny
+youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears
+his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival
+school teams are expertly described.
+</p>
+<p>
+FRANK ARMSTRONG’S SECOND TERM.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background
+for the stirring events of this volume, in which
+David, Jimmy, Lewis, the “Wee One” and the “Codfish”
+figure, while Frank “saves the day.”
+</p>
+<p>
+FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+With the same persistent determination that won him
+success in swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank
+Armstrong acquired the art of “drop kicking,” and the
+Queen’s football team profits thereby.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>MOTOR RANGERS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIES
+</p>
+<p>
+By MARVIN WEST.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR RANGERS’ LOST MINE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+This is an absorbing story of the
+continuous adventures of a motor
+car in the hands of Nat Trevor and
+his friends. It does seemingly impossible
+“stunts,” and yet everything
+happens “in the nick of time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Enemies in ambush, the peril of
+fire, and the guarding of treasure
+make exciting times for the Motor
+Rangers—yet there is a strong flavor of fun and freedom,
+with a typical Western mountaineer for spice.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The strange adventures of the sturdy craft “Nomad” and
+the stranger experiences of the Rangers themselves with
+Morello’s schooner and a mysterious derelict form the basis
+of this well-spun yarn of the sea.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR RANGERS’ CLOUD CRUISER.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+From the “Nomad” to the “Discoverer,” from the sea to
+the sky, the scene changes in which the Motor Rangers figure.
+They have experiences “that never were on land or sea,”
+in heat and cold and storm, over mountain peak and lost
+city, with savages and reptiles; their ship of the air is attacked
+by huge birds of the air; they survive explosion and
+earthquake; they even live to tell the tale!
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>GIRL AVIATORS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Clean Aviation Stories
+</p>
+<p>
+By MARGARET BURNHAM.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE GIRL AVIATORS AND THE PHANTOM AIRSHIP.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Roy Prescott was fortunate in
+having a sister so clever and devoted
+to him and his interests that
+they could share work and play
+with mutual pleasure and to mutual
+advantage. This proved especially
+true in relation to the manufacture
+and manipulation of their aeroplane,
+and Peggy won well deserved
+fame for her skill and good
+sense as an aviator. There were
+many stumbling-blocks in their terrestrial path but they
+soared above them all to ultimate success.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE GIRL AVIATORS ON GOLDEN WINGS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+That there is a peculiar fascination about aviation that
+wins and holds girl enthusiasts as well as boys is proved
+by this tale. On golden wings the girl aviators rose for
+many an exciting flight, and met strange and unexpected
+experiences.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE GIRL AVIATORS’ SKY CRUISE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure.
+How much more perilous an adventure a “sky
+cruise” might be is suggested by the title and proved by
+the story itself.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE GIRL AVIATORS’ MOTOR BUTTERFLY.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+The delicacy of flight suggested by the word “butterfly,”
+the mechanical power implied by “motor,” the ability to,
+control assured in the title “aviator,” all combined with
+the personality and enthusiasm of girls themselves, make
+this story one for any girl or other reader “to go crazy
+over.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>MOTOR MAIDS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Wholesome Stories of Adventure
+</p>
+<p>
+By KATHERINE STOKES.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR MAIDS’ SCHOOL DAYS.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Billie Campbell was just the type
+of a straightforward, athletic girl
+to be successful as a practical
+Motor Maid. She took her car, as
+she did her class-mates, to her
+heart, and many a grand good time
+did they have all together. The
+road over which she ran her
+red machine had many an unexpected
+turning,—now it led her
+into peculiar danger; now into contact
+with strange travelers; and again into experiences
+by fire and water. But, best of all, “The Comet” never
+failed its brave girl owner.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times,
+for these were companionable girls who looked upon the
+world as a vastly interesting place full of unique adventures—and
+so, of course, they found them.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully
+entertaining to see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is
+that privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join
+the Motor Maids in their first ’cross-country run.
+</p>
+<p>
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER.
+</p>
+<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'>
+South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor
+could their education by travel have been more wisely
+begun. But now a speaking acquaintance with their own
+country enriched their anticipation of an introduction to
+the British Isles. How they made their polite American
+bow and how they were received on the other side is a
+tale of interest and inspiration.
+</p>
+<p>
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+</p>
+<p>
+HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
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+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
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+
+
+Title: The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn
+
+Release Date: August 23, 2011 [EBook #37175]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRANK WAS LIFTED BY MAIN FORCE AND PLACED IN IT.--_Page
+228._]
+
+
+
+
+                           THE BOY AVIATORS'
+                          FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+                                   BY
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+                     AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS,"
+                        "DREADNOUGHT BOYS," ETC.
+
+                            _ILLUSTRATED BY_
+                           _CHARLES L. WRENN_
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1912,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+             CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+                  I. On Brig Island                          5
+                 II. The Wireless                           22
+                III. A Night Alarm                          36
+                 IV. Cut Adrift                             45
+                  V. Adventures on the Hulk                 56
+                 VI. Harry Meets an Old Friend              66
+                VII. A Puzzling Problem                     80
+               VIII. The Derelict Destroyer                 89
+                 IX. The Flight of the "Sea Eagle"          97
+                  X. "C. Q. D.!"                           112
+                 XI. "Good Luck!"                          121
+                XII. Through the Night                     129
+               XIII. A Twentieth-Century Rescue            137
+                XIV. Ben's Plan Stolen                     148
+                 XV. What Happened Ashore                  158
+                XVI. Off on the "Air Route"                170
+               XVII. An Aerial Ambulance                   180
+              XVIII. An Errand of Mercy                    189
+                XIX. Plumbo Found Wanting                  199
+                 XX. Frank's Battle                        209
+                XXI. A Rascally Trick                      219
+               XXII. Reunited!                             230
+              XXIII. Off Once More                         237
+               XXIV. A Struggle for Life                   246
+                XXV. A Race to Cloudland                   253
+               XXVI. The Boy Aviators' Pluck               264
+              XXVII. Captured by Aeroplane                 275
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.--ON BRIG ISLAND.
+
+
+The sharp bow of Zenas Daniels' green and red dory grazed the yellow
+beach on the west shore of Brig Island, a wooded patch of land lying
+about a mile off the Maine Shore in the vicinity of Casco Bay. His son
+Zeb, a lumbering, uncouth-looking lad of about eighteen, with a
+pronounced squint, leaped from the craft as it was beached, and seized
+hold of the frayed painter preparatory to dragging her farther up the
+beach.
+
+In the meantime Zenas himself, brown and hatchetlike of face, and lean
+of figure--with a tuft of gray whisker on his sharp chin, like an
+old-fashioned knocker on a mahogany door--gathered up a pile of lobster
+pots from the stern of the dory and shouldered them. A few lay loose,
+and those he flung out on the beach.
+
+These last Zeb gathered up, and as his father stepped out of the dory
+the pair began trudging up the steeply sloping beach, toward the woods
+which rimmed the islet almost to the water's edge. All this, seemingly,
+in defiance of a staring sign which faced them, for on it was printed in
+letters visible quite a distance off:
+
+                           PRIVATE PROPERTY.
+                            NO TRESPASSING!
+
+Instead, however, of checking the fisherman, it caused old Zenas to
+break into a harsh laugh as his deep-set, wrinkle-surrounded eyes dwelt
+for an instant on the inscription. His jaw seemed to set with a snap,
+and his thin lips formed a narrow, hairlike line as a second later he
+saw something else. This was a stout wire fence, clearly of recent
+construction, which extended along the edge of the woods. Apparently it
+must have encircled the island, for it ran as far as eye could see in
+either direction.
+
+"Waal, I'll be dummed-gosh dummed!" snorted Zenas, his thin nostrils
+dilating angrily.
+
+"Put up a fence now, have they?" he continued. "Waal, if thet ain't ther
+beatingest! A passel of city kids ter come hyar and think they kin run
+things in Casco Bay!"
+
+"I reckon thet fence ain't goin' ter hinder us powerful much, dad."
+
+"Waal, I swan _not_. Come on, Zeb, look lively with them pots; we've got
+ter git across ther island an' back ez slippy ez we kin."
+
+But as father and son resumed their journey, the thick brush suddenly
+parted and down a narrow path a boyish figure came suddenly into view.
+The newcomer was a tall, muscular youth, with a face tanned to a healthy
+brown by constant outdoor life. His clean-cut figure and frank, open
+countenance formed a striking contrast to Zenas' crabbed features and
+the shifty look of his son.
+
+"Where do you intend going?" demanded the boy, as he halted a few paces
+on the opposite side of the fence.
+
+"You know waal enough, Frank Chester, or whatever yer name is," growled
+out Zenas, "we're goin' across ther Island ter stow our lobster pots,
+just as we've bin a-doin' fer years."
+
+"I'm very sorry. I don't want to seem unfair, but, as I explained to you
+the other day, this island is now private property. It was rented from
+Mr. Dunning of Portland on the express condition that we were not to be
+interfered with."
+
+"Land o' Goshen! So ye think yer kin come hyar an' run things ter suit
+yerselves, do yer?"
+
+"We rented the island for that purpose. As I said before, we are all
+very sorry if it interferes with your convenience; but there's Woody
+Island half a mile below, and closer in to Motthaven, too, why won't
+that suit you as well?"
+
+"'Cos it won't. Thet's why. Brig Island's bin here a sight longer than
+you er I, and it's goin' ter stay hyar arter we're gone, too."
+
+"I don't quite see what that has to do with it."
+
+"Waal, I do. We ain't used ter bein' dictated to by a passel of kids.
+I've bin usin' this island fer ten years or more. It suits me first
+rate, and I propose ter go on using it, and ther ain't no kids kin stop
+me," spoke Zenas stubbornly.
+
+"Well, we shan't keep you from it for more than a few weeks at most--at
+least I hope so," rejoined Frank, with perfect good nature, "after that,
+although we have leased it for a year, we shall be glad to have you use
+it in any way you like."
+
+"I want ter use it right now, I tell yer."
+
+"Well, you can't!"
+
+Frank's control of himself was beginning to ooze away in the face of
+such mule-like obstinacy.
+
+"Kain't, eh? We'll see. You're alone on the island ter-day, I seen ther
+other kids go ashore this mornin'. Come on, Zeb, climb over thet fence."
+
+"Thet's right, dad," applauded Zeb, "ef he gives yer any sass jes' hit
+him a clip in ther jaw. Reckon that 'ull stop him fer a while."
+
+As his son spoke Zenas made as if to lay his hand on the top wire of the
+fence preparatory to scaling it. Frank Chester stepped hastily forward.
+
+"Don't try to climb that fence!" he warned. His tone was so earnest
+that, involuntarily, Zenas checked himself.
+
+"Why not?" he demanded.
+
+"Because if you do you are going to get hurt. I give you fair warning."
+
+"Shucks! ez if a kid could bother me. Come on, Zeb."
+
+As he called to his son, Zenas clapped his hand on the top wire. Zeb,
+with a contemptuous grimace at Frank, did the same.
+
+"We'll show yer----" Zeb was beginning, when a singular thing happened.
+
+[Illustration: "OUCH! WHAT IN THE NAME OF TIME HIT US!"]
+
+Zenas, with a yell, sprang into the air and, tripping as he came down,
+alighted in a sprawling heap among the freshly-tarred lobster pots. His
+gray goatee wagged savagely as he lay there impotently clenching his
+fists, alternating this performance by vigorously rubbing his elbows. In
+the meantime his son, giving vent to a no less piercing cry, had
+executed a backward bound from the fence with as much velocity as if he
+had been a rubber ball.
+
+"Ouch! What in ther name of time hit us!" he demanded.
+
+"Dear land o' Goshen! What was thet?" shouted his parent.
+
+Frank had some difficulty in steadying his voice to reply. The sight of
+the two lately militant figures sprawling there on the beach was too
+much for his gravity.
+
+"_That_," he managed to gasp out at length, "that was a _mild_ current
+of electricity running through those wires. You recollect I warned you
+not to touch them."
+
+"You--you--you young villain!" roared Zenas, springing to his feet with
+great agility for one of his years, "I'll have ther law on yer!"
+
+"Consarn you, yes!" echoed Zeb, "assault and battery!"
+
+"No, not batteries--a dynamo," Frank could not resist saying. "If you
+think of going to law over it," he added, more seriously, "please
+recollect that I warned you not to touch those wires. Furthermore, you
+were defiantly trespassing on private property, although you could see
+that sign from quite a distance out on the water."
+
+The elder Daniels' face was a study at this. But his son continued to
+bellow angrily.
+
+"You may hev injured dad and me fer life!" he shouted.
+
+"Oh, no; on the contrary, a mild shock of electricity is a fine thing
+for the system. But," and Frank smiled, "don't take an overdose."
+
+"Oh, y'er laughin' at us, are yer? Waal, maybe ther laugh 'ull be on the
+other side of yer face nex' time we meet."
+
+All this time the elder Daniels had remained silent, gathering up his
+scattered lobster pots. Evidently he did not meditate a second assault
+on the fence. Now he turned the overboiling vials of his wrath on his
+son.
+
+"Pick up them pots, consarn ye!" he rumbled throatily, "and git out 'er
+this."
+
+Zeb obeyed, and then, with what dignity they could muster, the two
+shuffled back down the beach to their dory. Then they shoved off and
+began pulling for Woody Island. Frank Chester watched them in silence.
+But they did not look his way once during the swift row. When they
+landed on the distant islet, he saw Zeb turn and shake his fist in the
+direction of Brig Island with vicious emphasis. The elder fisherman,
+however, simply strode off along the beach of the adjacent island
+without turning.
+
+"Well, the fence certainly served its purpose," said Frank to himself,
+as he turned away; "it proved as effectual as it did that night we used
+the same sort of contrivance to put to rout the rascals who wanted to
+wreck the old Golden Eagle. Sorry I had to give those fellows such a
+severe lesson, though. They liked us little enough before. They'll have
+still less use for us now."
+
+He was about to retrace his steps up the path when his attention was
+arrested by a sudden sound--the sharp "put-put-put!" of a motor boat.
+
+"I'll bet that's Harry, Billy and Pudge coming now!" he exclaimed. "I'll
+go round to the hulk and meet them."
+
+So saying, he started off along the beach. In a few seconds he rounded a
+wooded promontory and passed out of sight. Right here, perhaps, is a
+good place to give those readers who have not already formed their
+acquaintance, some further idea of who Frank Chester and his companions
+are, and how the quartet came to be on Brig Island, off the coast of
+Maine, in the island-dotted Casco Bay region.
+
+The first volume of this series related the adventures of Frank and
+Harry Chester, two bright, inventive New York lads of seventeen and
+sixteen, in the turbulent Central American Republic of Nicaragua. In
+this book was set down the part that their aeroplane, _The Golden
+Eagle_, played in the drama of revolution, and followed also the
+tempestuous career of their chum Billy Barnes, a young reporter whom
+they met in the tropics. Mr. Chester, a New York man of affairs, owned a
+plantation in Nicaragua, and the boys and their aeroplane were the means
+of saving this from the depredations of the revolutionaries. But in an
+electric storm in which she was driven out to sea the _Golden Eagle_ was
+lost. By means of the wireless apparatus with which she was equipped,
+the lads, however, managed to communicate with a steamer which picked
+them up and saved their lives.
+
+In The Boy Aviators on Secret Service, the second volume of the Boy
+Aviators' series, we find them in the mysterious region of the
+Everglades. Once again they demonstrated--this time for Uncle Sam--the
+almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest inventions of modern
+times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy. In this book we related how
+the secret explosive factory was located and put out of commission, and
+what dangers and difficulties surrounded the boys during the process.
+
+Not long after this a strange combination of circumstances resulted in
+the boys taking a voyage to Africa. In The Boy Aviators In Africa you
+may read how they discovered the ivory hoard in the Moon Mountains, and
+how the Arab slave trader, who had cause to fear them, made all sorts of
+trouble for them. The first aeroplane to soar above the trackless
+forests of the Dark Continent conveyed them safely out of their
+dilemmas, and indirectly was the cause of their being able to voyage
+back to America on a fine yacht.
+
+The boys had figured on resting up after this, but the love of adventure
+that stirred in their blood, as well as their warm friendship for Billy
+Barnes, prompted them to take part in a cross-continent flight against
+great odds. The story of the contest, The Boy Aviators in Record Flight,
+related stirring incidents from coast to coast. Readers of that volume
+will readily summon to mind the ruse by which the lads escaped the
+cowboys and baffled some renegade Indians and, finally, their fearful
+battle in midair with the sand storm.
+
+The story of an old Spanish galleon enthralled in the deadly grip of the
+Sargasso Sea furnished the inspiration for the tale of the Boy Aviators'
+Treasure Quest. But they were not alone on their hunt for the long-lost
+treasure trove. Luther Barr, a bad old man who had caused them much
+trouble before, fitted out a rival expedition. High above the vast ocean
+of Sargasso weed the boys had to fight for their lives with a crew of
+desperate men in a powerful dirigible craft. How they won out, and
+through what other adventures they passed--including the surprising one
+of the "rat ship,"--you must read the volume to discover, as we have not
+space to detail all that befell them on that voyage.
+
+Then came what was, in many respects, their queerest voyage of all--the
+flight above the Antarctic fields of eternal ice, in search of the goal
+of discoverers of half a dozen nationalities, the South Pole. The Boy
+Aviators' Polar Dash was a volume full of swift action and enterprise.
+Many hardships were endured and dangers faced, but the boys did not
+flinch when duty required their best of them. They emerged from the
+frozen regions having achieved a signal triumph, but one which would not
+have been possible of accomplishment without their aeroplane.
+
+Having thus briefly sketched the previous careers of the Boy Aviators,
+we shall give a short account of how they came to be on Brig Island, and
+then press on with our story. About a month before the present story
+opens then, a scientific friend of Mr. Chester's, Dr. Maxim Perkins, had
+called on the Boy Aviators' father and requested the aid of the young
+aerial inventors in some problems that were bothering him. Dr. Perkins
+was already an aviator of some note, but his achievements had not found
+their way into the newspapers as, like most scientific men, he did not
+care for publicity in connection with his experiments.
+
+In common with the rest of the civilized world Dr. Perkins--horrified at
+a mid-ocean tragedy in which hundreds of lives were sacrificed--had set
+his wits to work to devise some means of life saving--in addition to the
+regular boat equipment--which might be easily carried by ocean liners. He
+was convinced that it would be feasible for vessels of that description
+to carry an auxiliary fleet of what he termed
+"dirigible-hydro-aeroplanes." By this rather clumsy name he meant a
+combination of the hydroplane, dirigible and aeroplane. But although his
+ideas on the subject were clear enough in theory, he was rather hazy
+about the practical side of the matter, and this was the object of his
+call on Mr. Chester--to ask the aid of the Boy Aviators in carrying out
+his experiments.
+
+To make a long story short, arrangements were finally completed by which
+the doctor had leased Brig Island, and had set up on it such sheds and
+appliances as would be needed by the boys in their work. These included
+a wireless, by means of which communication with the mainland might be
+kept up--via Portland--and also a unique piece of apparatus (if such it
+could be called) of which we shall learn in the next chapter.
+
+The boys had now spent two busy weeks on the island, and the work that
+they had mapped out for themselves was so nearly completed that they had
+felt justified that morning in wirelessing Dr. Perkins to come and see
+how things were going on. As we have seen, their stay on the island had
+not been altogether tranquil. The spot had been used for years by the
+fishermen as a sort of stowage place for their apparatus, and also,
+sometimes, as a summer residence. With the coming of the boys and their
+necessarily private work, all this had been changed, and the resentment
+of the fishermen had been bitter. Of all the complainers, Zenas and his
+son were the most aggressive, however, and had openly threatened to
+drive the boys off the island.
+
+To avoid being taken by surprise the lads had rigged up the electric
+fence, which device, as readers of The Boy Aviators on Secret Service
+will recall, had been used by them before with success to repel
+unwelcome visitors.
+
+Let us now rejoin Frank Chester as he goes to meet the approaching motor
+boat on which his brother Harry, Billy Barnes and Pudge Perkins, the
+doctor's son, had visited the mainland for provisions and mail that
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.--THE WIRELESS.
+
+
+As Frank rounded the point, the waves almost lapping his feet as he
+edged along the rocky promontory, he came into full view of the adjunct
+to the little settlement which was mentioned in the preceding chapter.
+This was nothing more nor less than the hulk of what had once been a
+fair-sized schooner. But her masts had vanished, and on her decks
+nothing now rose above the bulwarks but a towering structure of
+sufficiently odd form to have set the wits of every man in Motthaven who
+had seen it at their keenest edge.
+
+This structure began about amidships, where it attained a height of some
+thirty feet. From thence its skeleton form sloped sharply down toward
+the stern of the dismantled hulk, much in the manner of the "Chute the
+Chutes" familiar to most lads throughout the land from their having seen
+them at amusement resorts. The old schooner--formerly rejoicing in the
+name of _Betsy Jane_--had been picked up for a song in Portland by the
+Boy Aviators, who saw in it exactly what they needed for a bit of
+experimental apparatus. At their orders the inclined "slide" had been
+built, and when this was accomplished the craft had been towed into the
+cove, where it now lay anchored by a stout line, about 200 yards off
+shore.
+
+As Frank came into view of the black old hull, swinging on her mooring
+line on the turning tide, a "Hampton" motor boat came chugging round the
+_Betsy Jane's_ stern. In it were three lads. The one in the bow handling
+the wheel is already familiar to our readers, who will at once recognize
+the cherubic, smiling features of the spectacled Billy Barnes. In the
+stern, tending to the engine--a five horse power one of the
+make-and-break type--was Harry Chester, Frank's younger brother, and
+standing amidships, waving cheerfully to Frank, was a youth best
+described as being "tubby" of build, with round rosy cheeks and a most
+good-natured expression of countenance.
+
+This last lad was Ulysses--otherwise "Pudge" Perkins, the son of the
+aerial scientist who had sent the lads on their strange mission.
+
+"Batter and butterflies!" he shouted, as the boat drew closer and he
+spied Frank, "how are you, Frank? Get lonely without your chums?"
+
+"No; I rather enjoyed myself," laughed back Frank, shouting his words
+across the water; "you see, while you were away I had some quiet, and a
+chance to work out a few problems."
+
+"Mumps and mathematics!" sputtered Pudge amiably, "you don't mean to say
+I worry you, Frank?"
+
+By this time the motor boat had approached close to her mooring, at
+which swung a small boat of the dory type. The motor boat was speedily
+made fast, and the boyish occupants tumbled into the small boat and
+Harry rapidly sculled them ashore. Before leaving the motor boat some
+sacks of supplies had been thrown in, and the small craft was so heavily
+laden that Pudge had to be sternly warned to keep still on peril of
+swamping it.
+
+"Dories and dingbats! as if my sylphlike form could bother this staunch
+craft! Yo-ho! my lads, yo-ho! pull for the shore and don't bother about
+me."
+
+The beach was reached without catastrophe, and while Frank helped the
+others unload the supplies he told them of what had occurred during
+their absence.
+
+"After you left," he said, "I got busy figuring on that plane problem.
+All at once I heard voices, and by listening I soon recognized them as
+Zenas Daniels and that precious son of his. As I knew what ugly
+customers they were I turned the current into the fence and sauntered
+down toward the shore. Sure enough it was Zenas and Zeb and they tried
+to rush the fence."
+
+Frank then went on to tell of what had happened. Shouts of laughter
+greeted his narrative.
+
+"Sugar and somersaults! But I'd have liked to see those chaps do a
+flip-flap," chuckled the rotund Pudge, hugging himself in his joy.
+
+"I guess Zenas must have learned that electricity is good for the
+rheumatiz," laughed Billy Barnes gleefully; "I'd like to have had a
+picture of them when they hit the wire," he added, swinging his
+inevitable camera at the end of its carrying straps.
+
+"It would have been worth while," laughed Harry; "but come on, boys,
+let's get this stuff up to the hut. Anything to eat, Frank? I'm hungry
+enough to swallow one of old Zenas' lobster pots."
+
+"Sandwiches and sauerkraut! So am I," chimed in Pudge.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Billy Barnes, "as if we didn't know that. If you
+told us you _weren't_ hungry it would be something new."
+
+"Well, I don't see where I've got anything on you when it comes to meal
+times," retorted the fat youth.
+
+"Only about six inches more around the waist line," grinned Billy,
+dodging a blow from the fleshy youth's fat but muscular arm.
+
+Shouldering the supplies, which consisted of such staples as bacon,
+flour, sugar, rice and so forth, the lads made their way up the beach,
+having first carried the dory's anchor far up above highwater mark. They
+took their way along the electrically-charged fence till they came to a
+spot where there was a gate and a switch to break the connection. Frank
+turned off the switch, grounded the current, and opened the gate,
+through which they passed, and entered on a narrow path winding up among
+the rocks. When they had all gone through, Frank closed the gate,
+snapped on the switch again and the fence became as mischievous as
+before.
+
+In single file, headed by Harry, for Frank had now taken a rear place,
+they toiled up the steep path until, at the summit of the rocky little
+cliff, it plunged into the woods. Traversing these for a short distance,
+and always climbing upward, for the island converged to a point in the
+middle, they at length emerged on a clearing, evidently of nature's
+workmanship, for there was no trace of recently felled trees or other
+human work.
+
+The floor of this clearing was of rock, and off at one side a clear
+spring bubbled cheerfully over into a barrel set so as to catch the
+overflow. In the center of the open space stood a small but
+substantially-built portable house--one of the sectional kind. This
+formed the living quarters of the young island dwellers. Above it rose,
+like gaunt, leafless trees, two iron poles set thirty feet apart and
+stayed by stout guy wires. Between those two poles were suspended, by
+block and tackle, the aerials, or antennae, by which messages were caught
+and sent. Within the hut was the rest of the wireless apparatus, which,
+with the exception of some improvements of Frank's devising, was of the
+portable kind--the same in fact that they had used in Florida. Outside
+the hut was a small shelter covering a four horse-power gasolene engine,
+which generated the power for the station.
+
+As most boys are familiar nowadays with the rudiments of wireless
+telegraphy we are not going into technical details concerning the plant.
+Suffice it to say that the boys were able to converse with Portland,
+under favorable conditions, and judged that, in suitable weather, they
+had a radius of some two hundred and fifty miles.
+
+But it was off to one side of the clearing, the side nearest to the
+cove, that the most interesting structure on the island was situated.
+This was more of a covering than a shed, for it consisted merely of a
+roof supported with uprights; but in bad weather canvas curtains could
+be drawn so as to make its interior stormproof.
+
+This shed was now open, and under the roof could be seen what was
+perhaps at the moment the most unique machine of its kind in the world.
+Looking into that shed you would have said at first that it housed a
+boat. For the first object that struck your eye was a double-ended,
+flat-bottomed craft of shimmering aluminum metal, about thirty feet in
+length and built on the general lines of one of our life-saving craft.
+That is to say, with "whalebacks" at each end containing air chambers,
+and plenty of beam and room within the cockpit. A peculiar feature,
+however, was the addition of four wheels.
+
+But the boat theory would have had to be abandoned the next moment, for
+above the hull of the whaleboat-shaped craft was what appeared to be the
+understructure of an aeroplane. But the planes--the broad
+wings--themselves were lacking. The twin propellers connected to a motor
+within the boat were, however, in place. Apparently they were driven by
+chains, similar to, but stouter than, the ordinary bicycle variety.
+
+All about was a litter of tools and implements of all kinds. Several
+large frames leaning against one side of the shed appeared to be the
+skeleton forms of the wings which were soon to be added to the
+superstructure.
+
+"Tamales and terrapins!" cried Pudge admiringly, as he gazed at the
+uncompleted craft, "but she begins to look like something, eh, Frank?"
+
+"Yes," nodded the young aviator, "but until your father arrives we
+cannot adjust the wings. There is a lot of theoretical work connected
+with them that he will have to do. By the way, I wonder if Portland's
+got any answer to our message yet?"
+
+Followed by the others, Frank entered the living hut, which proved to be
+a snug, neat compartment about fifteen feet in length, by ten in width.
+It had four windows, two on a side, and a door at one end. At the other
+end was the wireless apparatus, with its glittering bright metal parts,
+and businesslike-looking condensers and tuning coils. Along the walls
+were four bunks, two on a side, one above the other. In the center were
+a table and camp chairs, and from the ceiling hung a large oil lamp.
+
+A shelf held a good collection of books on aero and wireless subjects,
+and at one side of the door was a blue-flame kerosene stove. On the
+other side of the door was a cupboard containing crockery, knives, forks
+and cooking utensils. Altogether, if the boys had not been there for a
+more serious purpose, the place might have been said to form an almost
+ideal camp for four healthy, active lads.
+
+"Start up the motor, Harry," said Frank, as soon as they had deposited
+their burdens, "and we'll try and get some track of Dr. Perkins. His
+answer to our message ought to be in Portland by now."
+
+The younger Chester lad hastened outside, and soon the popping of the
+motor announced that it was running. Frank sat down at the key and,
+depressing it, sent a blue-white flame crackling across the spark gap.
+Out into space, from the aerials stretched above, the message went
+volleying. It was the call of the Portland station that Frank was
+sending. He flashed it out three times, as is customary, and then signed
+it F-C., the latter being Brigg Island's agreed-upon signature. Then,
+while the others gathered round, Frank adjusted the "phones," the
+delicate receivers that clamp over the ear and through which, by way of
+the detector, any message vibrating in the air may be caught as it
+encounters the antenna.
+
+Frank listened some time but--save for the conversation of two wireless
+operators far out at sea--he could hear nothing. With a gesture of
+impatience Frank began adjusting his tuning coil. All at once he broke
+into a smile of satisfaction. At last Portland was answering:
+
+"F--C! F--C! F--C!"
+
+"All right," rejoined Frank, sending a volley of sparks crashing and
+flashing across the gap as soon as he could break in, "is there any
+answer to my message?"
+
+"Yes. Perkins will be at Motthaven to-morrow night. He wants you to meet
+him," came back the answer, winging its way over the intervening miles
+of space.
+
+"Is that all?"
+
+"That's all."
+
+Frank removed the "phones," grounded his key and told Harry he could
+stop the motor.
+
+"I'll be glad when the doctor does get here," he confided to the others,
+after he had communicated the message, "for I'm beginning to think that
+we are in for some sort of trouble. Those two Daniels are pretty
+influential in the village, and it only needs a word from them to turn
+the whole crowd against us."
+
+"We could stand 'em off," bragged Pudge grandiloquently, "lassoes and
+lobsters, we could stand 'em off. I half wish they would come--buttons
+and buttercakes, but I do!" and Pudge doubled up his fists and looked
+fierce.
+
+"You forget, Pudge," said Frank, "that we are here in positions of
+responsibility. All this property is your father's. It is our duty to
+see that no harm comes to it. A bunch of those fishermen inflamed by
+anger might be able to do more harm here in an hour than could be
+repaired in months, not to mention the cost."
+
+"Surely you don't think they'd come down to actual violence, Frank?"
+inquired Harry.
+
+"I don't know. The two Daniels looked mighty savage to-day, I can tell
+you. If it hadn't been for the electric fence they might have made
+trouble. At all events I'll be glad to have some advice."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.--A NIGHT ALARM.
+
+
+After supper that night, a meal consisting of fried salt pork, boiled
+potatoes and some fresh fish which Frank had caught earlier in the day,
+the elder of the Chester lads called what he termed "a conference,"
+although Billy Barnes declared it was more in the nature of a "council
+of war."
+
+We are not going to detail here all that was said as it would make
+wearisome reading; but, after an hour or more of talk, Frank spoke his
+mind.
+
+"It may be all foolishness, of course," he said, "but I think that we
+ought not to leave the island unguarded to-night. Daniels and his son
+have had a taste of that wire fence and they may have figured out some
+way to get around it--it would be a simple enough matter to do, after
+all."
+
+"Well, what's your proposal?" inquired Billy Barnes.
+
+"To patrol the island all night, taking turns on watch. It's not more
+than a mile or so all round it, and it ought to be an easy matter to
+keep the ground thoroughly covered."
+
+"Rifles and rattlesnakes!" burst out Pudge, "I thought this was to be a
+sort of working vacation and not a civil war."
+
+Frank smiled, and then assumed a graver expression as he went on:
+
+"There is so much valuable property here which it would be easy for
+malicious people to injure that I wouldn't feel justified in leaving the
+island unguarded all night. What do the rest of you think?"
+
+"Just as you do, Frank," rejoined Harry heartily, while Billy and Pudge
+nodded vigorously; "we've got to keep a sharp lookout. I nominate myself
+and Pudge for the first watch--say from eight to twelve. You and Billy
+can go on duty from midnight till daylight."
+
+After some discussion this order of procedure was adopted. Promptly at
+eight o'clock Harry and Pudge Perkins went "on duty," while Frank and
+Billy turned in to get what sleep they could. As a matter of precaution,
+when they came to the island, the boys had brought along a revolver, and
+Harry was armed with this when he went on duty. He was not, of course,
+to use it as a weapon of offence, but it was agreed that, in case there
+was any alarm during his watch, he was to fire it three times, when the
+others would come to his assistance.
+
+Harry and Pudge accompanied each other as far as the gate, and then
+threaded their way down the path among the rocks toward the beach. A
+mild current had been turned on in the fence, enough to give an
+uncomfortable shock to any one tampering with it, but not enough to
+exhaust the storage batteries which supplied it.
+
+When they reached the beach, Harry paused.
+
+"We'd better start this patrol in opposite directions," he said, "and
+then we can meet each other once on every circuit."
+
+"All right," agreed Pudge, "but--pirates and parachutes--keep a good eye
+open."
+
+"Don't worry about me," rejoined Harry; "so long!"
+
+As he spoke each boy stepped off into the darkness to begin the patrol.
+As Harry trudged along the beach his mind was full of the events of
+which Frank had spoken that afternoon. Up in the lighted hut, with his
+companions around him, it had seemed a very remote possibility to the
+boy that any attack should be made on the island. But pacing along under
+the stars, with only the sound of his own footsteps for company, placed
+a very different light on the matter. What if the disgruntled fishermen
+should make a night descent on the island?
+
+"This won't do," exclaimed Harry to himself, coming to a sudden halt in
+the cove opposite to which the motor boat was moored, and where a
+blacker patch on the dark sand showed him the beached dinghy, "it's no
+use getting shivery and scared just because a couple of cranky fishermen
+are so sore at us. I've got to brace up, that's all there is to it."
+
+His surroundings, however, were not calculated to soothe the nervous
+suspense of the lad. Except for the stars glittering like steel points
+in the night sky there was no light. The night was so pitchy dark, on
+the beach under the shadow of the trees, that he could hardly see with
+certainty a yard ahead of him. The surf roared hoarsely against the
+rocks at the point--for the tide was full, and the night wind moaned in
+the trees like a note of warning.
+
+With an idea of carrying out his patrol properly, Harry went toward the
+darker patch amid the gloom which showed him where the beached dinghy
+lay. He examined it as well as he could, and made sure that it was well
+above tide water. Having completed this, he paced on, and in due time
+heard footsteps approaching him which he knew must be those of Pudge
+Perkins. A minute later the two young sentinels met and exchanged
+greetings. Pudge had nothing to report, except that it was what he
+called a "creepy" job. However, he pluckily averred: "Ghosts and
+gibberish, Harry, I'm going to stick it out."
+
+"That's right," approved Harry, and after a few words both boys once
+more started out on their lonesome tours of duty.
+
+In due course Harry again reached the cove opposite the schooner hulk,
+and this time, being rather tired, he decided to sit down on the beached
+dinghy and take a rest. But, to his astonishment, it didn't seem to be
+in the place where it should have been.
+
+"I could have sworn it was right here," said Harry to himself, as he
+trudged about on his quest, "it must be close at hand. Guess I'll fall
+over it and hurt my shins in a minute."
+
+But although he reassured himself, the boy felt far from secure in his
+belief. After a further painstaking search he was fain to confess--what
+he really believed from the first--that the dinghy which had lain there a
+short time before had mysteriously vanished!
+
+"Can it be those miserable Daniels?" gasped Harry to himself. "Yes, it
+must be," he went on, answering his own questions, "who else would have
+done it, unless it drifted off."
+
+He was moving about as he spoke, and as he uttered the last words he
+stumbled across something that showed him very plainly that the dinghy
+could not have drifted away from the beach. What he had fallen over was
+the anchor firmly embedded in the sand, with a length of rope still
+attached to it.
+
+Harry felt along the bit of rope in the darkness till he reached the end
+of it. Then he struck a match. In the flicker of light which followed he
+saw plainly enough what had occurred--the rope had been slashed through.
+The boy had just made this discovery when from the water he heard
+something that caused him to listen acutely, bending every sense to the
+operation.
+
+What he had heard was the splash of an oar, and a quick exclamation of
+impatience, as if the rower, whoever he was, had blamed his involuntary
+misstroke.
+
+"Some one's out there, and they're aboard the schooner, too; or I'm very
+much mistaken," exclaimed Harry to himself, as, listening acutely, he
+caught the sound of footsteps proceeding, seemingly, by their hollow
+ring, from the decks of the dismantled hulk; "what will I do? If I fire
+the pistol I'll scare them off, and if I don't----"
+
+He stopped short. A sudden daring idea had flashed into his mind. The
+boy hastily slipped off his shoes and divested himself of all but his
+undergarments. Then, leaving his pistol on the beach, he slipped
+noiselessly into the bay and struck out in the direction of the
+schooner. The water was bitterly cold, as it always is off the Maine
+coast, even in the height of summer, but Harry kept dauntlessly on,
+determined to brave anything in the execution of his purpose.
+
+The hulk lay only about a hundred yards off the shore, and before long
+he could see her dark outlines looming up against the lighter darkness
+of the sky on the horizon. He fancied, but could not be certain that it
+was not an illusion, that for an instant he could see two forms creeping
+along the decks. The next moment something showed up ahead of him with
+which he almost collided.
+
+Harry, with a gasp of gratitude, for the water had chilled him to the
+bone, recognized it as the motor boat. As silently as he could he drew
+himself up into it, and then, casting himself flat in the cockpit, he
+listened with all his might for further sounds from the schooner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.--CUT ADRIFT.
+
+
+He did not have long to wait. Seemingly, whoever the marauders were--and
+as to their identity the lad could hazard a pretty good guess--they did
+not bother much about lowering their voices.
+
+"By the jumping crickey!" he heard coming over the water from the
+schooner, "jiggered if I kin make out what they cal'kelated ter use this
+hulk fer."
+
+"Hush! Not so loud, pop. Ther sound carries tur'rble fur over ther
+water."
+
+"As if I didn't know thet, Zeb, but what do we care? Them kids is fast
+asleep, and anyhow, we cut the dinghy adrift so they couldn't do us any
+harm ef they wanted to."
+
+"Thet's right, too; but some of 'em might be prowling about. They're up
+ter all sorts uv tricks. I ain't forgot thet thar fence, I kin tell yer.
+My arm's a-tingling yet whar thet electricity hit me."
+
+Soaked through as he was, and chilly into the bargain, Harry couldn't
+help smiling as he heard this eloquent testimonial to the efficacy of
+the "charged" fence. He had caught the name of "Zeb," too, which
+speedily removed all doubt from his mind as to the identity of the
+marauders.
+
+"The precious rascals," he thought, while his teeth chattered with cold,
+"I'm mighty glad I did swim out here, even if I am almost frozen to
+death. If they aren't under arrest to-morrow it won't be my fault."
+
+Little more was heard from the schooner, but from what he could catch he
+surmised that the two fishers were completely mystified by the craft.
+Presently he heard their footsteps descending the gangway and then came
+the splash of oars. They were dipped silently no longer, a pretty sure
+sign that the two rascals didn't much care if they were heard or not.
+After a moment the splashing sound grew more remote, and Harry knew that
+the two prowlers had taken their departure.
+
+There was a scull in the motor boat and as soon as he was sure that the
+Daniels were out of earshot, Harry up anchored and began sculling the
+motor boat toward the hulk. The distance was so short that he did not
+want to bother to start the engine, and in a few seconds he was
+alongside the dark hulk. He shoved along the side till the motor boat
+grated against the gangway, and then, not forgetting to make the motor
+craft fast, he leaped up the steps, with the purpose of discovering what
+harm, if any, had been wrought aboard the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Harry knew where a lantern was kept, and descending into what had once
+been the cabin he began rummaging about for it. In the pitchy blackness
+the task took him longer than he had anticipated, but at last he found
+the lantern and the matches which lay beside it. Hastily striking a
+light he soon had the bare cabin filled with the yellow rays of the
+lamp. As has been explained, the _Betsy Jane_ had been purchased as a
+sort of "trying-out" appliance for the inventions of Dr. Perkins, and
+therefore the cabin contained nothing in the way of furniture. The lamp,
+in fact, had only been placed on board as a precaution in case a riding
+light was ever needed on the anchored hulk. But as she had remained at
+her moorings in the isolated cove this was not, of course, necessary.
+
+A brief look about the cabin showed Harry that nothing had been molested
+there. In fact, as has been said, there was nothing to molest. A door in
+the forward bulkhead led into the empty hold, and the boy next made his
+way there, the lamp casting weird shadows on the timbers as he went. His
+steps rang hollowly through the deserted ship, and he could hardly
+repress a shudder as he threaded his way among the stanchions, which,
+like the pillars in a church, upheld the deck above his head.
+
+Reaching what had been the forecastle of the _Betsy Jane_, Harry came to
+the conclusion that nothing had been damaged below. His next task was to
+go up on deck. His examination below decks had been painstaking, and had
+occupied him some time, but he was determined to make it a thorough one.
+The fact is that an ugly suspicion had crept into Harry's mind as he lay
+in the bottom of the motor boat listening to the two Daniels on board
+the schooner. This was nothing more nor less than a dread that they
+might have "scuttled" the craft. From what he knew of them the two were
+capable of anything, and he thought that in their rage at finding
+nothing on board that they could damage they might have bored holes in
+the schooner in order to sink her. His investigation of the hold,
+however, had shown him--to his great relief--that nothing of the sort had
+occurred.
+
+Coming on deck Harry made as careful a search for damage as he had done
+in the hold. But the inclined superstructure remained intact, and
+nothing indicated that the Daniels had done anything more than stroll
+about, trying to discover what the object of the schooner was.
+
+So intent had Harry been on his task that he had, for the time being,
+completely forgotten that Pudge must be anxiously looking for him. Going
+into the eyes of the craft he sent a hearty hail ashore:
+
+"Pudge ahoy! Oh-h-h-h, Pu-d-g-e!"
+
+Then he stopped to listen intently. But no reply came to his hail. He
+tried it again and again, without success. Then he determined as a last
+resort to fire the agreed-upon three shots. He did not want to alarm his
+companions unnecessarily, but surely, he thought, it would be a good
+idea to arouse them and communicate what had occurred since he left the
+hut.
+
+Up to that moment the boy had completely forgotten that he had left the
+pistol on the beach. He felt compelled to laugh at himself for his
+absentmindedness, but while the laugh was still on his lips something
+happened that caused it to freeze there.
+
+A mass of cold spray was suddenly projected over the bow. At the same
+instant the old hulk quivered at the smart "slap" of a wave.
+
+"Gracious!" thought Harry to himself, "the sea must be getting up. I
+reckon I'd best be going back ashore."
+
+As he made his way aft toward the gangway he found that the sea must
+indeed have risen since he came on board. The old hulk was rolling about
+like a bottle, and he had to hold on to the rail as he made his way
+along the decks. Getting into the motor boat under these conditions was
+no easy task. But it was accomplished at last.
+
+"I guess I'll start the engine before I cut adrift," said Harry to
+himself.
+
+Later on he was to be very thankful he did. Turning on the switch and
+gasolene he began to "spin" the fly wheel; but beyond a wheezy cough the
+motor gave no sign of responding. For more than half an hour the boy
+worked with might and main over the refractory bit of machinery, but to
+no effect. The engine was absolutely "dead."
+
+"What can be the matter with it?" thought Harry to himself. "It's never
+acted this way before."
+
+He stood up, too engrossed in his problem to realize what a sea was
+running. Before he could recover his balance the pitching craft almost
+bucked him overboard.
+
+"Gracious! the waves are getting up with a vengeance," exclaimed the boy
+to himself; "I can never scull ashore in this sea. Queer, too, there,
+doesn't seem to be any more wind than when I left shore. Certainly I've
+never seen the sea as rough as this in the inlet before."
+
+With the object of finding out what ailed the obstinate motor, he
+returned to the deck of the schooner where he had left the lamp. Getting
+into the motor boat with it once more, by dint of much balancing and
+holding on he cast its rays on the single cylinder. Almost
+simultaneously he saw what had happened. Somebody, he had no difficulty
+in guessing who, had removed the sparking points. No wonder that no
+explosion had followed his efforts to get the craft under way.
+
+"Well, here's a fine fix," thought Harry; "even if I could attract their
+attention ashore I've got no means of getting there. Oh, if I won't get
+even with those Daniels as soon as I get a chance! Wonder what I'd
+better do?"
+
+His first move was to clamber back on board the schooner, for the wild
+rolling of the motor boat, as she plunged about at the foot of the
+gangway, was not helpful to thought. Gaining the deck once more Harry
+sought out the cabin and seated himself on the edge of one of the empty
+bunks which ranged its sides.
+
+Suddenly it occurred to him that he was uncommonly sleepy, and at the
+same time he thought that possibly it would be a good idea to pass the
+rest of the night in slumber. He had no watch, but he imagined that it
+could not be so very far to daylight. With this object in view he cast
+himself down in the bunk and, despite the hardness of the bed and the
+chilliness of his scantily clad limbs, he rapidly slipped away from his
+surroundings into a dreamless sleep.
+
+When he awoke the sun was shining through the stern ports. That is, it
+was for one instant, and then in the next it was obscured again. Harry
+was enough of a sailor to know that this meant a cloudy day, with
+possibly a piping wind scurrying the clouds across the sky.
+
+"Thank goodness it's daylight anyhow!" he exclaimed, jumping from his
+uncomfortable couch, with an ache in every limb in his body; "now to go
+on deck and attract their attention ashore."
+
+Utterly unprepared for the shock that was to greet him, Harry bounded up
+the companionway stairs and on to the deck.
+
+Had a bomb exploded at his feet he could not have been more
+thunderstruck than he was at the sight which greeted him.
+
+There was no island, no distant mainland. Nothing but miles upon miles
+of tumbling blue water in which the _Betsy Jane_ was wallowing about,
+casting showers of spray over her bow every time she nosed into a
+billow.
+
+Harry's heart stood still for an instant. His senses swam dizzily. Then,
+with a sudden return of his faculties, he realized what had occurred.
+
+The mooring rope of the _Betsy Jane_ had been cut or had broken, and he
+was miles out on the Atlantic without a prospect of succor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.--ADVENTURES ON THE HULK.
+
+
+A sudden sharp puff of wind, followed by a heavier dip than usual on the
+part of the dismantled hulk, apprised the boy that both breeze and sea
+were increasing. Putting aside, for the moment, by a brave effort, his
+heart sickness, Harry ran to the rail and peered over the side. The
+motor boat was careering gallantly along by the side of her big consort,
+and the boy was glad to note that the painter still held, despite the
+strain.
+
+But Harry knew, from his examination the previous night, that it would
+be useless to try to escape by the motor craft. She was disabled beyond
+hope of repair, unless he could get another spark plug. Having made sure
+the motor craft was all right, Harry returned to the bow and sat down to
+think the situation over.
+
+It would have been a trying one for a man to face, let alone a lad; but
+Harry's numerous adventures had given him a power of calm thought beyond
+his years, and he managed to marshal his ideas into some sort of shape
+as he crouched under the bow bulwarks.
+
+"Evidently the _Betsy Jane_ was caught by the tide, when it turned, and
+carried out to sea," he thought, "and then, when the wind got up, she
+drifted still faster. I wonder if her mooring rope broke or if it was
+cut--guess I'll take a look."
+
+The boy dragged inboard the end of the mooring line that still hung over
+the bow. One look at it was enough. The clean cut strands showed
+conclusively that it had been severed, just above the water line, by a
+sharp knife. The fact that the Daniels could not know that any one would
+come on board after they slashed the line did not make their act any
+less heinous in Harry's eyes. It had been their deliberate intention to
+set the schooner adrift, and they had succeeded only too well in their
+act of spite.
+
+"Whatever will they be thinking on the island when they discover all
+this?" thought Harry with a low groan. "They'll imagine that I'm dead,
+or at least that some fatal accident has befallen me, and, worst of all,
+they have no boat to use to reach the mainland. They are just as much
+prisoners as I am."
+
+Sharp pangs of hunger now began to assail the lad, and he recollected,
+with a thankful heart, that on board the motor boat there were the
+remains of a lunch they had taken ashore with them on their expedition
+the previous day. There was also a keg of water. Harry lost no time in
+descending the gangway and making his way to the locker where the food
+had been stored. First, however, he made a foray on the water keg.
+Taking out the stopper he found that it was only half full, but he
+slaked his thirst gratefully, taking care to use as small a quantity of
+the fluid as possible. He knew that before long the water might be
+precious indeed.
+
+In the locker he found the remnants of the lunch. As he consumed the
+scraps of bread and cheese, and a small hunk of corned beef, he recalled
+with what light hearts they had fallen to the meal of which he was now
+devouring the remains. The recollection almost overcame him. With a
+strong effort the boy choked back a sob and formed a grim determination
+not to dwell upon his miserable situation more than was possible. He
+felt that the main thing was to keep a clear head.
+
+There was some spare rope on board the hulk, and with this Harry made
+the fastenings of the launch more secure, leading one end of the rope on
+board the schooner itself, and making it fast to a cleat. He felt that
+the craft would be more safe if attached thus than would have been the
+case had he depended on the gangway alone.
+
+This done, he took a look about him. He had had a vague hope that he
+might sight a ship of some sort, but the ocean was empty as a desert.
+Not a sail or a smudge of smoke marred the horizon. All this time the
+wind had been steadily freshening, and Harry judged that the schooner
+must be drifting before it quite fast. The inclined superstructure
+naturally added to her "windage" and made her go before the gale more
+rapidly. The sea, too, was piling up in great, glistening, green water
+rows, which looked formidable indeed. But so far the _Betsy Jane_ had
+wallowed along right gallantly, only shipping a shower of spray
+occasionally when a big sea struck her obliquely on the bow.
+
+"If only I had plenty of food and water," thought Harry, "this would be
+nothing more than a good bit of adventure, but----"
+
+In accordance with his resolution not to dwell on the more serious
+aspects of his predicament he dismissed this side of the case from his
+mind. But as the day wore on, and he grew intolerably thirsty, the
+thought of what might be his fate, if he did not fall in with some
+vessel, beset his mind more and more, to the exclusion of all else. In
+the afternoon, as closely as he could judge the time, he took another
+drink from the fast-diminishing supply in the keg. He noticed, with an
+unpleasant shock, that the fluid was growing alarmingly lower. Before he
+took the draught he had cleaned up the remaining crumbs left in the
+locker, and was now absolutely without food.
+
+The rest of that afternoon he passed watching the empty sea for some
+sign of a ship, but not a trace of one could he discover. Utterly
+disheartened he watched the sun set in a blaze of crimson and gold. The
+sunset lay behind him, and Harry knew by this that he was drifting east
+at a rapid rate. Just how rapid he had, of course, no means of
+calculating. Of one thing he was thankful--the sea had not increased, and
+the wind appeared to have fallen considerably with the departure of
+daylight.
+
+"Surely," thought the boy, "I must have drifted on the track of ocean
+vessels by this time. I know there's a line to Halifax, and another to
+Portland, besides the coasters."
+
+With this thought came another. What if he should be run down during the
+night? The idea sent a shudder through his scantily clothed form. He
+knew that derelicts are often the cause of marine disasters, and during
+the dark hours the hulk might invite such a fate if he did not take
+steps to guard against it.
+
+Accordingly he lit his lantern and hung it in the underpinning of the
+inclined superstructure.
+
+"At least they can see that," he thought, as he completed the hanging of
+his warning light.
+
+Then, having done all he well could under the circumstances, Harry cast
+himself down in the lee of the weather bulwarks and tried to sleep. But
+in his scanty attire he was far too cold to do aught but lie and shiver
+till his teeth chattered. He determined to pass the rest of the night
+below, and once more sought a couch in the empty bunk. But sleep was a
+long time coming. Tired, excited and hungry as the boy was, he could not
+compose himself to slumber. Ten or a dozen times he started up and ran
+to the deck, thinking that he had heard the distant beat of some
+vessel's engines. But each time it proved a false alarm.
+
+At length tired nature asserted herself, and he sank to sleep in good
+earnest. When he awakened it was daylight, and there was an odd feeling
+about the motion of the _Betsy Jane_. She seemed to have ceased her
+rolling and pitching, and was almost steady in the water. Suddenly there
+came a jarring crash that almost threw Harry out of the bunk.
+
+Much startled, he ran on deck, and found, to his astonishment, that the
+vessel lay right off an island. Seemingly she had grounded on a reef of
+rocks stretching out from the island itself. At any rate, as the waves
+rocked her she gave a jarring, crunching bump with each pitch of her
+hull. The island appeared to be a small one, and in general appearance
+was not unlike Brig Island. In fact, at first Harry had thought that in
+some magical way the _Betsy Jane_ had drifted back to that small speck
+of land. But a second glance showed him that the island off which the
+dismantled hull had grounded differed in many essentials from the one he
+had left. Far to the westward, about twenty miles as well as the boy
+could judge, lay a dim streak of dark blue that Harry guessed was the
+mainland. But for all the good it did him it might have been a hundred
+miles removed.
+
+Harry was still gazing at the island and wondering how he could reach it
+before the _Betsy Jane_ pounded herself to pieces on the rocks, when he
+started violently. The island was not, as he had supposed,
+uninhabited--at least, he had caught sight of a swirl of blue smoke
+rising from among the trees on its highest part. This meant help,
+companionship and food. An involuntary cry of joy rose to the boy's
+lips, which the next instant turned to a groan as he looked over the
+side of the schooner and saw that the reef on which she had struck was
+much too far out from the shore for him to try to swim the distance,
+even if a roaring, racing tide would not have made it suicidal to
+attempt the feat.
+
+"Unless I can attract the attention of whoever lives there by shouting,
+I'm as badly off as I was before," exclaimed Harry, in a voice made
+quavery by panic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.--HARRY MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
+
+
+All at once, while he was still gazing at the column of smoke shoreward,
+Harry became aware of a figure coming out of the woods toward the beach.
+He shouted with all his might, and the man who had appeared from the
+undergrowth waved a reply.
+
+Then his voice came over the water.
+
+"What's up?"
+
+The tone somehow was strangely familiar to Harry, and, for that matter,
+when he had first seen the figure of the newcomer it had struck him with
+an odd sense of familiarity. Suddenly he realized why this was.
+
+"Ben Stubbs!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
+
+"Ahoy, mate!" came back after a pause; "who are you?"
+
+"Harry Chester!"
+
+"By the great horn spoon! What the dickens are you doing out there?"
+
+Cupping his hands to make his voice carry the better, Harry hailed back
+once more.
+
+"I drifted here on this hulk. Can you take me off?"
+
+"Can I? Wait a jiffy."
+
+Ben Stubbs--for it was actually the "maroon" whom the boys had rescued
+from a miserable fate in the Nicaraguan treasure valley--began running
+along the shore as fast as his short legs would carry him. Presently he
+vanished around a wooded promontory, leaving Harry in a strange jumble
+of feelings. What could the good-hearted old companion of several of
+their adventures be doing on this desolate island off the Maine coast?
+When they had last heard from him he had been running a tug boat line in
+New York harbor, having purchased the business with the profits made out
+of the discovery of the treasure trove in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+Before a great while the man who had so opportunely appeared came into
+view once more This time he was in a skiff, rowing with strong strokes
+toward the stranded hulk of the _Betsy Jane_. Harry watched him with
+eager eyes. Fast as Ben Stubbs rowed, it seemed an eternity to the
+anxious boy before his strangely rediscovered friend reached the side of
+the grounded schooner.
+
+When he did so he hastily made fast, and was up the gangway ladder three
+steps at a time. Fortunately for his haste, the sea had diminished in
+roughness considerably, and the _Betsy Jane_ lay almost motionless on
+the reef. Otherwise he would have stood a strong chance of being thrown
+from his footing. Harry was at the gangway as Ben Stubbs' weather-beaten
+countenance came into view at the top of the steps.
+
+Ben seized the boy's hand in a grip that made Harry flinch, but he
+returned it with as strong a clench as he could. For a moment both of
+them were too much overcome with emotion at the strange meeting to utter
+a word. It was Ben who spoke first.
+
+"Waal, what under the revolving universe are you doing here?" he
+demanded.
+
+"I was about to ask the same question of you."
+
+"It's a long story, boy, and you look just about played out. What has
+happened? I never dreamed that you were even in this neighborhood."
+
+"I guess the same thing applies to me, so far as you are concerned,
+Ben," rejoined Harry, between a laugh and a sob. "As for myself, I've
+been adrift all night on this old hulk. Some rascals cut her loose from
+her moorings at Brig Island."
+
+"Wow! you've drifted all the way from there. Why, it's fifty miles or
+more away."
+
+"I know it. It seemed a million to me. What worries me is what the
+others must be thinking. They won't know if I'm dead or alive."
+
+"We'll find a way to let 'em know, never fear," struck in Ben in his
+deep, rumbling voice; "but I reckon you're hungry and thirsty?"
+
+"Am I? Why, I could eat a horse without sauce or salt, as you used to
+say."
+
+"Then get in the skiff and come ashore. I've got a sort of a hut there.
+It ain't much of a place, but I've got enough to eat and a good spring
+of clear water, and I can give you a suit of slops."
+
+"But the schooner?" demanded Harry.
+
+"She'll be all right, I reckon. She's lying on a sort of sandy ridge
+that runs out here. The sea's gone down so that she won't do herself any
+harm, and we can't do her any good right now. You see, the tide is
+falling. When it rises we'll try to get her off and anchor her in a
+snugger berth."
+
+Harry might have argued the point, but the prospect of food and drink
+made so strong an appeal to him that he did not stop to waste words.
+Five minutes later they were rowing ashore, and, while Ben bent to the
+oars with a will, Harry told him in detail all that happened since they
+came to Brig Island, and the reason of their presence there. He knew
+that he was safe in confiding in old Ben.
+
+The relation of his story occupied the entire trip to the shore, and
+when Ben had beached his skiff he seized Harry by the arm and began
+hurrying him up the beach toward a small hut, half canvas, half lumber,
+which stood back under the shelter of a low bluff. The boy was
+desperately anxious to learn the reason of Ben's presence on the island,
+for he knew it could have no ordinary cause. But the weather-beaten old
+adventurer would not allow the boy to say another word till he had
+clothed himself and eaten all he could put away of a rabbit stew washed
+down with strong coffee.
+
+"Now, then," remarked Ben, as soon as Harry had finished, "I suppose
+you're a-dyin' to hear what I'm doin' on Barren Island, which is the
+name of this bit of land?"
+
+"I am, indeed," declared Harry, shoving back the cracker box which had
+served him as a chair; "the last person in the world I would have
+expected to see when the _Betsy Jane_ grounded was Ben Stubbs."
+
+Ben chuckled.
+
+"Allers turnin' up, like a bad penny, ain't I?" he said, shoving some
+very black tobacco into his old pipe. "'Member ther time I dropped out
+of the sky in thet dirigible balloon?"
+
+"Well, I should say I did," laughed Harry; "but how you got here is past
+my comprehension. What became of the tug boat line?"
+
+Ben snapped his fingers.
+
+"All gone, my lad! Gone just like that! I reckon I'm not a good hand at
+business, or the crooked tricks that answers for that same. Anyhow, to
+make a long yarn a short one, I went on a friend's note and he dug out.
+That was blow number one. To meet that note I had to mortgage some of my
+boats, and in some way--blow me if I rightly understand it yet--I got
+myself in a hole whar' the lawyer fellers bled me till I was mighty near
+dry. I tried to struggle along, but it wasn't no go. Then came a strike
+of tug boat hands and that finished me. I couldn't stand the long lay
+off without anything to do, so I sold out for what I could get, and--and
+here I am."
+
+"I'm mighty sorry to hear that you failed, Ben," said Harry with real
+sympathy in his tones, "but you haven't said yet what you are doing here
+on Barren Island, as you call it."
+
+"I'm a-gettin' to that, lad," said Ben, emitting a cloud of blue smoke;
+"give me time. As I told you, that feller on whose note I went,
+skedaddled. You see, I'd trusted him as my own brother, bein' as I knew
+his father when I was a miner. He--that's this chap's father, I mean--was
+a Frenchman, Raoul Duval was his name, and his son's name the same. Old
+man Duval made his pile in Lower Californy and was makin' fer his home
+in New Orleans when ther steamer he was travelin' on blew up, and he and
+all his gold dust--a whalin' big lot of it--went to the bottom.
+
+"I never calculated to hear anything more of Duval arter this, but one
+day this young feller I've been tellin' you about shows up in New York
+and hunts me up. He tells me that he's old Raoul's son, and that he'd
+had a run of hard luck and so on, and wants to go into business, and if,
+for his father's sake, I'll help him out. I asks him how he found me
+out, and he says that in his father's letters home I had often been
+mentioned, and that when he heard of the Stubbs Towing Line he made
+inquiries and found that I was in all probability the same man.
+
+"As I told you, I let him have the money. It don't matter just how much,
+but it was quite a bit. You see, I did it for the old man's sake. I was
+sorry afterward. Young Duval wasn't a chip of the old block at all. He
+was idle and dissipated. His business went under and he skipped out."
+
+"Did you lend him this money without security of any sort?" asked Harry
+incredulously.
+
+"In a way, yes. In another way, no. The young chap, when he came to me,
+had a wild story about knowing where the steamer on which his dad lost
+his life had sunk. He said that from letters written home before he left
+Lower Californy, he knew the old man was carrying with him, besides the
+dust, a fortune in black pearls. Of course, all these went down when the
+steamer blew up. He had tried, he said, to get a lot of folks interested
+in a scheme to get at the wreck and recover the dust and the pearls, but
+they had all laughed at him. He said if I'd give him the money he wanted
+he'd give me, in return, the plan of the location whar' the steamer went
+down."
+
+"And did he?"
+
+"Yes; but since he acted as he did I guess there's no more truth in his
+yarn than there was in anything else he told me. Anyhow, I've never
+bothered my head about the matter since."
+
+"Have you got the plan?"
+
+"Sure enough," Ben fumbled in his pocket, "here it is; it's a roughly
+drawn thing, as you see, but I reckon if the ship was really there it
+would be an easy matter to locate her bones."
+
+Harry nodded. He was looking over the map with deep attention. It was,
+as Ben had said, a crudely drawn affair, and purported to have been
+sketched by one of the survivors of the wreck, who, of course, did not
+know that in the returning miner's cabin there was so much wealth.
+
+"How did young Duval get hold of this?" he asked at last.
+
+"He said that by chance he met a man who was the lone survivor of the
+disaster. This feller didn't know who Duval was, and began talking to
+him about the wreck. Duval, recollecting that his father had carried a
+sum that amounted to more than $75,000, was naturally interested. He
+asked the man if he could draw him a sketch of the scene where the
+steamer sank. The feller said he could, and that thar sketch is what he
+drawed. At least that's Duval's story, and I'm frank to tell you I don't
+believe a word of it."
+
+"But still you haven't told me what you are doing on this island," said
+Harry after an interval.
+
+"That's so, too, lad. I got so interested in tellin' my troubles I clean
+forgot about Barren Island. Well, it's this way. Arter the crash I felt
+ashamed to show my face. Oh, all the creditors were paid up--every last
+one of 'em. But I felt like I was an old failure, and good fer nuthin',
+so I remembered all of a sudden about this island that I'd been stranded
+on a good many years ago. I made inquiries and found that I could live
+here rent free as long as I liked, with none to interfere, and so I came
+here. It's quiet and might be lonesome to some folks, but it suits me
+well enough, and I was calculatin' to spend the rest of my days here,
+till you came along. But I feel different now."
+
+"How's that?" asked Harry, not knowing well just what to say to the old
+man who took his business failure so much to heart.
+
+"Why, I was watching you studyin' that map. I could see by yer face that
+you put some stock in Duval's yarn. Ain't that so?"
+
+Harry could not but confess that it was. The old man's story, and the
+map, had aroused in him the strong desire for adventure that both Boy
+Aviators possessed to a marked degree. Of course, from what Ben had
+said, Duval did not appear to be a person on whom much reliance could be
+placed, but then, again, there was the map, and it at least, even if
+crude, appeared to have been a genuine effort to mark the spot where the
+wreck lay. It showed a bayou marked "Black Bayou," running back from the
+main stream of the Mississippi. A black dot some distance up this bayou
+was lettered "Belle of New Orleans," presumably the name of the steamer
+on which Duval met his end.
+
+The boy was still pondering over the map when, from seaward, there came
+a sound that made both Harry Chester and Ben Stubbs spring to their
+feet.
+
+"It's a gun!" shouted the old man, as the booming echoes died away; "may
+be a ship in distress."
+
+"Hardly, in this weather," rejoined Harry, in a perplexed tone.
+
+But Ben Stubbs had darted from the shanty and was running for the
+beached skiff. A minute later Harry was close on his heels, and
+presently they were pulling around the point, about to run into the
+surprise of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.--A PUZZLING PROBLEM.
+
+
+It is now time that we returned to the island where we left Pudge
+Perkins patrolling the beach, and Frank Chester and Billy Barnes wrapped
+in slumber. Frank had set the alarm clock for midnight, when it had been
+arranged that he and Billy were to turn out on patrol, and its insistent
+clamor had only just commenced when he sprang out of his bunk broad
+awake and prepared to go on duty. Billy stretched and yawned a bit
+before he, too, tumbled out.
+
+"Gee whillakers!" he exclaimed, as he got into his clothes, "it seems to
+me that we are making a lot of fuss over nothing, Frank. I don't believe
+those fellows will come near the island to-night."
+
+"Perhaps not; but it's our duty to be on guard. If anything happened to
+Dr. Perkins' invention now it would be almost impossible to repair it in
+time for the tests he wants to make."
+
+Talking thus the two lads got into their clothes, drank some coffee,
+which Frank had prepared while they were dressing, and then set out into
+the night. They made for the cove from which Harry had started his
+eventful swim.
+
+"Best wait here till they come round," said Frank, and he and Billy
+found places in the sand and made themselves as comfortable as possible
+till they should hear the footsteps of one of the young sentries. They
+had not long to wait. Hardly fifteen minutes had elapsed before Frank's
+sharp ears caught the sound of some one approaching. A minute later
+Pudge joined them. His first words were not calculated to make the
+newcomers feel at ease.
+
+"Where's Harry?" he demanded.
+
+"Don't you know?" ejaculated Frank with considerable surprise.
+
+"No. I've been making my patrol regularly, and the last three times I've
+been round I haven't met him."
+
+Frank's face could only be dimly seen in the darkness, but all his alarm
+was plain enough in his next words.
+
+"What can have become of him?"
+
+"Maybe he took the dinghy and decided to look over the motor boat and
+the hulk," suggested Billy.
+
+"That's easy enough to find out," declared Frank, starting for the place
+where the dinghy had been beached. A moment later he stumbled over the
+anchor and, closely following this, by the aid of a lighted match, he
+made the discovery that the rope had been slashed.
+
+"Harry never took that dinghy," he exclaimed apprehensively, "there's
+been some crooked work here."
+
+"Thunder and turtles! What do you mean?" gasped Pudge, fully as
+anxiously.
+
+"That some one has landed here and stolen the dinghy and taken Harry
+along with them. I can't think of any other explanation. Harry would
+never have cut that rope."
+
+"You mean he's been carried off?" The question came from Billy Barnes.
+
+"I can't think of any other explanation. Pudge, did you hear anything
+that sounded suspicious?"
+
+"Oilskins and onions, no! Not a sound. Let's fire a pistol and see if we
+get any answer."
+
+"That's a good idea, Pudge--Great Scott!"
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Billy Barnes, as Frank broke off short and
+uttered the above exclamation.
+
+"Look here! Harry's clothes! Wait till I get a light. There! Now, see
+all his outer garments and his pistol lying by them."
+
+"Gatling guns and grass hoppers, if this doesn't beat all."
+
+"He can't have been carried off, then," burst out Billy, "but if he
+wasn't, how did that dinghy rope come to be cut?"
+
+Frank made no answer at the moment. The discovery of Harry's clothes on
+the beach had put a dreadful fear into his mind. What if the boy had
+heard a disturbance on the hulk or on the motor boat and, having swum
+off to see what was the trouble, had been seized with a cramp and
+drowned?
+
+But Frank firmly thrust the question from him the next minute. Such
+thoughts were by far too unnerving to be dwelt on. The others remained
+silent. They seemed to be waiting for Frank to speak. Presently the
+words came.
+
+"It's too dark to see anything out there," said the boy, in as firm a
+voice as he could command. "Let's fire three shots--the signal we agreed
+upon--and then if Harry is on the hulk or the motor boat he will be sure
+to answer them."
+
+The others agreed that this seemed about the best thing to do, and
+Pudge, taking Harry's discarded weapon, fired it three times. Then came
+a long pause, filled with an ominous silence.
+
+"Try again," said Frank in a strained voice. Once more three sharp
+reports sounded. But again there was no answer.
+
+"That settles it," declared Frank solemnly; "something has happened to
+Harry. We must get out to the hulk and to the motor boat."
+
+"How? The dinghy's gone, and----"
+
+"I'm going to swim for it."
+
+Already Frank had thrown off his outer garments. On the beach lay a balk
+of timber which they sometimes used to tie the dinghy to. Frank now
+ordered his companions to help in rolling this down to the water.
+
+"I'm going to use it as a help in swimming out there," he said; "the
+water's pretty cold, and I don't want to risk a cramp."
+
+"Wait till daylight, Frank," urged Billy; "it won't be long till dawn
+now, and----"
+
+But Frank cut him short abruptly.
+
+"My brother's out there somewhere," he said in a sharp, decisive voice,
+"and I'm going to find out what's happened to him."
+
+A minute later Frank was in the water pushing the balk of timber before
+him and heading, as nearly as he knew how, for the spot where the hulk
+and the motor boat had been moored.
+
+It was more than half an hour before Billy and Pudge saw him again. Then
+he reappeared, chilled through and shivering in every limb. His first
+words almost deprived his companions of breath.
+
+"They're gone!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What!" the exclamation came from both Billy and Pudge simultaneously.
+They guessed by some sort of intuition what Frank referred to.
+
+"Yes, they're both gone," repeated Frank; "the _Betsy Jane_ and the
+motor boat."
+
+"Are you sure you're not mistaken, Frank?" inquired Billy, unwilling to
+believe the extent of the catastrophe that had overtaken them.
+
+"I'm as sure that they're gone as I am that I am standing here," was the
+reply. "I cruised about on my log for quite a radius, and couldn't
+discover a sign of them. I found the motor boat's buoy, though. She had
+been untied by some one."
+
+"But the _Betsy Jane_? Schooners and succotash! The _Betsy Jane_!" broke
+in Pudge.
+
+"Gone, too," Frank's voice broke, "but I wouldn't care about either if I
+only knew what had become of Harry."
+
+"Come on up to the hut and we'll have some hot coffee and talk it over,"
+said Billy, who saw that Frank, besides being almost numb with cold, was
+half crazy at the mystery of Harry's fate.
+
+Frank suffered himself to be led up to the hut and the rest of the night
+was passed in speculation as to the fate of the missing boy. All three
+of the lads were pretty sure that the two Daniels had had a hand in the
+night's work somehow, but they were far from guessing what had actually
+occurred.
+
+Soon after daylight the wireless began working. Dr. Perkins notified
+them from Portland that he expected to arrive that afternoon at
+Motthaven, and wished them to meet him. Frank found some relief for his
+wrought-up feelings in informing the inventor of what had occurred.
+
+"Will charter fast boat and be there with all speed," came the reply
+through the air; "make the best of it till I come. Am confident that
+everything will come out all right."
+
+And with this message the "marooned" trio on the island had to be
+content. The day was passed in making a careful survey of the island to
+discover, if possible, some trace of the marauders. But none was to be
+found. The tide had even obliterated any footmarks they might have left
+in the damp sand. Thoroughly disheartened and miserable, the boys ate a
+scanty lunch and then sat down to await the arrival of Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was sundown when a fast motor boat appeared to the southward,
+cleaving the water at a rapid rate. A quarter of an hour later Dr.
+Perkins was hearing from the boys' own lips the strange story of their
+adventures of the past day and night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.--THE DERELICT DESTROYER.
+
+
+Assuredly it was a surprising sight that greeted the eyes of Harry and
+Ben Stubbs as the latter pulled the skiff around the point. Not half a
+mile away lay a dull, gray-colored craft like a gunboat, with the Stars
+and Stripes floating from her stern. From her bow a puff of smoke was
+drifting away, showing that she had been the craft that had fired the
+shot which had aroused them.
+
+But what could she be doing? Above all, why had the shot been fired?
+Harry's eyes furnished the answer as he saw that part of the rail of the
+schooner was missing, a jagged break showing where it had been torn
+away.
+
+"Great guns!" shouted Ben, "they've bin firin' at your old hulk."
+
+As he spoke there was a flash from the side of the lead-colored craft,
+and a projectile shrieked by above the pair in the boat, causing them to
+duck involuntarily.
+
+"Cracky!" shouted Harry, "I've got it. That craft is a derelict
+destroyer. One of Uncle Sam's craft whose duty it is to put obstructions
+to navigation out of the way."
+
+"You're right, boy, and they are bent on sending that there _Betsy Jane_
+to the bottom."
+
+"We must stop them," ejaculated Harry excitedly; "that schooner is
+wanted by Mr. Perkins to use in his experiments. That's why he had the
+runway built. We must signal them somehow."
+
+"No need to, lad. See, here comes a boat."
+
+Sure enough, as he spoke a cutter was lowered from the warlike-looking
+vessel's side, and before long, impelled by muscular arms, it was flying
+over the water toward the hulk.
+
+"Pull round and meet them," suggested Harry.
+
+But Ben was already doing that very thing. So fast did the government
+cutter approach that just as the skiff was rounding the stern of the
+ill-used _Betsy Jane_, the former craft, with a dapper young officer in
+the stern, was drawing alongside the hulk.
+
+The astonishment of the officer was great when Harry explained matters.
+
+"It's lucky that I decided to make an examination into the effect of the
+shots already fired before I finished her up," he laughed. "I am in
+command of the United States derelict destroyer _Seneca_, yonder. We've
+just despatched an old hulk some miles out at sea, and when, on our
+return down the coast, we saw your old hull, we thought it was a good
+chance to try out a new kind of gun we have to despatch these menaces to
+navigation."
+
+"I'm glad we heard your first shot in time to explain matters," said
+Harry; "this craft belongs to Dr. Perkins, the aeronautical inventor,
+who wishes to use it in some experiments. As I told you, I unfortunately
+drifted to sea in it when some rascals cut the rope."
+
+The officer sympathized to the full with Harry and offered to give him a
+spark plug for his motor boat from a supply carried for a similar craft
+on board the _Seneca_.
+
+"But," he continued, "I've got a better plan than that. I'm bound down
+the coast. I know Dr. Perkins slightly and should be glad to do him a
+service. Why not accept a tow from me? I'll get you to Brig Island by
+nightfall anyway, and that's much quicker than you could tow this hulk
+with the motor boat, even if you _could_ get her off the sand."
+
+Harry gladly agreed to this arrangement. A line was made fast to the
+_Betsy Jane_ and affixed to the towing bitts of the derelict destroyer.
+The tide by this time had turned, and after a short struggle the _Betsy
+Jane_ once more floated in deep water.
+
+"I don't know if this is exactly regular," remarked the young officer in
+command, when the hulk lay bobbing astern of the trim and trig
+government craft, "but I guess it's all in the line of duty. So come on
+board."
+
+Harry and Ben were in the skiff alongside the _Betsy Jane_ when this
+offer was made.
+
+Without hesitation Harry stepped upon the companionway. He turned to
+Ben, and was about to bid that veteran adventurer good-by, with a
+promise to visit Barren Island in the near future, when, to his
+astonishment, Ben calmly hitched his skiff alongside the motor boat and
+stepped up after him.
+
+"I reckon I've had about enough of that island," he said; "I'm a-goin'
+to ship with you on this cruise if it's agreeable."
+
+"Agreeable?" laughed Harry. "Why, Ben, you are as welcome as the flowers
+in May. But haven't you left a lot of stuff behind on the island?"
+
+"Nothing that 'ull hurt. The only other suit I own you've got on, and
+funny enough you look in it, too," and Ben chuckled; "as for the hut and
+what grub's left, and so forth, any one's welcome to 'em that takes a
+fancy to 'em. I've got a bit left in the bank yet, and I guess I can
+afford a new outfit anyway, so heave ahead, Mister Skipper, as soon as
+you're ready."
+
+The officer, who had watched this scene in some astonishment, broke into
+a laugh.
+
+"I see you are an individual of impulse," he said, "but if you want to
+go along it will spare my sending a man on board the schooner to help
+our young friend."
+
+"Waal, then, it's an arrangement that's agreeable to all parties,"
+rejoined Ben, lighting his pipe; "so that's all settled."
+
+A short time later the _Seneca_ moved ahead, at first slowly, and then
+faster, while the wandering _Betsy Jane_ followed docilely after her
+through the now calm sea. True to Lieut. MacAllister's promise, they
+were off Brig Island by sunset. As deep water extended close inshore,
+the derelict destroyer was enabled to tow the hulk almost up to the
+boys' "front door," so to speak, and from the beach a little group set
+up a loud cheer as the _Betsy Jane's_ spare anchor rattled down and she
+swung at rest.
+
+The presence of the little party to witness the arrival is due to the
+fact that Lieut. MacAllister, who knew from Harry that there was a
+wireless on the island, had kept his operator busy sending "bulletins"
+to Dr. Perkins all the way down the coast; and so, when first the
+_Seneca's_ smoke streaked the horizon, all was ready to give the
+returned wanderer a big reception.
+
+The _Betsy Jane_, having been safely anchored, the _Seneca_, with three
+toots of her siren, departed on her way, while Harry and Ben lost no
+time in tumbling into the skiff and rowing ashore. To describe what took
+place then would take up a lot of space without giving any clearer
+picture of the reunion that each of you can imagine for himself.
+
+Readers of the former volumes of this series know how highly the Boy
+Aviators regarded Ben Stubbs, and after a short conversation with him
+Dr. Perkins came to share their good opinion of the rugged old
+adventurer. It would be impossible to tell with accuracy how many times
+that night Harry's story was told, and how many times Frank and the
+others repeated the tale of their anxious hours while he was missing.
+The first wireless flash from the _Seneca_, Frank described as "the best
+thing that ever happened." This opinion the others heartily echoed.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Perkins, as at last they made ready to "turn in," "all
+is well that ends well, and to-morrow I have an announcement of some
+interest to make to you lads. From my inspection of the work done so far
+on the '_Sea Eagle_,' as I have decided to christen her, I think that
+within a few days we can take her on her trial trip."
+
+"Anchors and aeroplanes!" shouted Pudge, in high glee, "I book passage
+right now!"
+
+"And I--and I--and I," came from the others, while Ben Stubbs inquired
+plaintively if there would be room for him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.--THE FLIGHT OF THE "SEA EAGLE."
+
+
+Having already given a brief description of Dr. Perkins' _Sea Eagle_, it
+would be wearisome to dwell in detail on all that was done during the
+next week to put that craft in shape for the final tests, upon which so
+much depended. It may be said here, though, that besides a visit paid to
+Motthaven in an effort to secure the apprehension of the two Daniels, a
+search was prosecuted for the missing dinghy. Neither mission proved
+successful.
+
+The Daniels, having discovered that Harry was on board the _Betsy Jane_
+after they cut that craft loose, had vanished from the little community.
+As for the dinghy, it was supposed that they had taken that small craft
+with them. At any rate, it was impossible to get any news of their
+whereabouts on shore. This may be attributed to a distinct prejudice
+felt by the fishing community against the dwellers on Brig Island. Your
+down-easter is inquisitive to a degree, and the secrecy under which
+operations on the island were carried on was felt as a distinct affront
+to the little town. So therefore, although the local authorities
+promised every co-operation in seeking out the Daniels and punishing
+them for their outrageous conduct, it may be doubted if the efforts went
+much further than the mere assurance.
+
+But after all, in the rush of interesting work that was now on hand, the
+Daniels were almost forgotten. The _Betsy Jane_ had been towed round
+into the nearer cove, where she could be constantly watched, and the
+motor boat was used in the operation, the officer of the derelict
+destroyer having fulfilled his promise to furnish the boys with a new
+spark plug for the engine in place of the one taken by the marauders.
+
+The morning after Harry's return to the island Dr. Perkins had laid down
+a systematic plan of action. Frank and Harry were assigned to aid him in
+giving the finishing touches to the _Sea Eagle_, while his son and Billy
+Barnes were set to work with axes to clear a sort of runway down to the
+beach. Both Billy and Pudge would much rather have had a hand in the
+mechanical part of the work, but they pluckily went ahead on their
+designated duty and stuck to it till a broad path had been cleared from
+the summit of the island to the margin of the beach.
+
+When this "roadway" through the brush had been cleared, two lines of
+planking, firmly nailed to stout supports, were run down on each side of
+it, forming a sort of railway, similar to those from which vessels are
+launched.
+
+It was down this runway that it was designed to introduce the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her initial plunge. At last the day arrived when all was
+complete, and the _Sea Eagle_ was pronounced fit for the test. During
+the night before this event not one of the boys got more than half his
+usual allowance of sleep. In fact, it is doubtful if Dr. Perkins enjoyed
+much more repose.
+
+By earliest dawn they were out, to find every promise of a glorious day.
+Breakfast that morning was a hasty apology for a meal, and hardly had it
+been gulped down before all hands were in the _Sea Eagle's_ shed. As has
+been said, the boat-like underbody of the craft had been mounted on a
+wheeled frame before it was assembled. All that had to be done then to
+get everything in readiness for the final test was to make fast a block
+and tackle to a stoutly rooted tree, and then wheel the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the top of the inclined runway.
+
+When the odd-looking craft was safely poised on the top of the rails the
+loose end of the tackle was made fast to the stern of the substructure,
+and Billy, Pudge and Harry were delegated to "belay" the rope as
+required. Frank and Dr. Perkins seated themselves in the "boat," and at
+the words "Let her go!" the _Sea Eagle_ in her wheeled frame began her
+descent down the runway. By means of the tackle the three boys at the
+summit of the incline easily controlled the novel craft's descent,
+stopping from time to time while Dr. Perkins and Frank made a survey to
+see that all was going well.
+
+"Bunting and buttercakes!" grumbled Pudge, as the boys alternately "let
+go" and "hauled in" on the tackle, "I thought a launching was more of a
+gala event than this."
+
+"I guess the doctor is too anxious to test out the _Sea Eagle_ to bother
+with the trimmings," laughed Harry; "it's _results_ that he's after."
+
+As a matter of fact, the launching of the _Sea Eagle_ was a very mild
+affair compared with what might have been expected. Had the villagers
+ashore known of it, doubtless a small fleet of boats would have been
+lying off the cove to witness it, but it was for that very reason that
+the deepest secrecy had been observed, and that the early hour had been
+chosen. As Dr. Perkins said, he "didn't want any fuss and feathers" made
+over what was merely, after all, an experiment.
+
+The rolling glide down the runway was made without incident, and at last
+the bow of the _Sea Eagle's_ "hull" struck the water. A cheer went up
+then that, rang shrill and clear out over the calm sea. Even Dr. Perkins
+joined in the enthusiasm, as well he might, for the goal of his ambition
+was in sight at last.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ had been sent on her initial voyage without the
+aeroplane wings or the auxiliary lifting bags being attached. It was
+desired, first of all, to try out her qualities as a water skimmer. As
+soon as she was fairly afloat, the wheeled carriage on which the descent
+had been made was drawn ashore. Having been weighted before the start
+was made, it of course sank under the _Sea Eagle_ when the sea and air
+craft floated, thus allowing it to be reclaimed with ease.
+
+"Looks like a butterfly with its wings clipped off," commented Billy
+Barnes as, with the others, he hastened to the beach as soon as their
+task was over.
+
+Indeed, the odd-shaped hull, with its naked frame and two gaunt aerial
+propellers, did look strangely incomplete. But the boys knew that the
+wings were all ready for instant attachment. In fact, it was one of the
+features of the _Sea Eagle_ that the craft was capable of being taken to
+pieces and put together again with very little loss of time or labor.
+
+As the hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ floated clear of the
+weighted frame in which it had made its journey to the beach, Frank
+looked inquiringly at the inventor. His hand was on the self-starting
+device which put the powerful motor in operation. Dr. Perkins was
+actually pale, and Frank could see that his strong hand shook
+perceptibly as he nodded his head.
+
+But he mastered his nervousness quickly, and, grasping the
+steering-wheel in a firm grip, he spoke:
+
+"You can start up now," he said.
+
+Frank turned the starting handle, admitting a charge of gas to the
+cylinders. Then he pressed a button and instantly the motor responded
+with a roar and a series of explosions, like those of a battery of
+gatling guns going into action. Having started it he admitted gasolene,
+and adjusted the carburetor till the cylinders were all working
+steadily.
+
+Close to Dr. Perkins' hand was a lever. This, when moved, "threw in" the
+clutch connecting the motor with the driving mechanism. Directly Frank
+had finished tuning up the motor Dr. Perkins' hand reached for the
+lever. He jerked it nervously back. There was a whirr and a buzz, as the
+chains whirled the twin propellers round, and at the same instant the
+_Sea Eagle_ darted forward like an arrow from a bow.
+
+Faster and faster she went, getting up speed with seemingly marvelous
+rapidity. But instead of driving deeper into the water, under the
+pressure of the aerial propellers which rushed her forward through the
+atmosphere, the faster the _Sea Eagle_ was driven the more lightly did
+the craft skim the surface of the water, till at top speed--2,000
+revolutions a minute--her bottom barely touched the water. This was owing
+to the peculiar construction of the hull, which was designed so as to
+"plane" the water in exactly the manner it did.
+
+Cheer after cheer broke from the lads on shore as they saw the swift
+craft dart off, slicing the tops of the small waves like a cream
+skimmer. Dr. Perkins circumnavigated the island three times before he
+gave the signal to Frank to slow down. Then, releasing the clutch, the
+inventor allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to come to rest, with its bow almost
+touching the beach.
+
+"Now we will have a weight test," he announced; "come on, boys."
+
+The lads ashore surely needed no second invitation. Without bothering to
+remove shoes or stockings they waded into the water and out to the _Sea
+Eagle's_ side. In less time than it takes to tell it they were swarming
+over the side of the cockpit and struggling for positions near the
+engine. But Dr. Perkins made them arrange themselves so that their
+weight would be evenly distributed. Ben Stubbs and Harry sat in the
+extreme stern, while Pudge and Billy occupied opposite seats amidships.
+
+This done, off darted the _Sea Eagle_ once more, and speedily set at
+rest all doubts as to her capability to "plane," or skim the water,
+under an added load.
+
+"It's like riding on a floating island over a sea of raspberry ice cream
+soda," declared Billy, when he was asked later to describe his
+sensations.
+
+But a severer test awaited the _Sea Eagle_, namely, the trying out of
+her capacity actually to rise into the air. The craft was run partially
+ashore, and the great wings bolted in place and the stay wires adjusted.
+The stay wires were tightened by turn buckles till they were taut as
+fiddle strings, assuring stability of the wings. But in addition the
+wings were, of course, partially supported on the light but strong
+skeleton framework before noticed.
+
+Much to the disappointment of the others, only Frank and Harry Chester
+and Dr. Perkins were to participate in the flying trials. But they took
+it all in good part, being promised rides later if the tests were
+successful. As before, the _Sea Eagle_, after she had been backed off
+and the propellers started, skimmed along the top of the water like a
+flying fish. But all at once the watchers on shore saw her rise bodily
+from the water and soar upward into the air. Higher and higher went the
+craft, gliding like a gull through the ether. It was an inspiring sight,
+and a perfect tornado of yells broke from Ben Stubbs, Billy and Pudge.
+But those on board the _Sea Eagle_ could not hear the sounds of
+enthusiasm above the roaring of the motor.
+
+Under Dr. Perkins' skillful guidance the _Sea Eagle_ climbed the aerial
+staircase till a height shown by the barograph to be almost 4,000 feet
+had been attained.
+
+"Now to test the buoyancy apparatus," cried the doctor suddenly. "Shut
+off power, Frank."
+
+Frank, who knew what was coming, obeyed the order and turned a valve
+admitting the pure hydrogen gas from one of the cylinders into the
+buoyancy devices. Instantly the upper wings swelled, till they resembled
+puffed-out mattresses more than anything else, and the "volplaning"
+downward movement was perceptibly checked. But, setting the descending
+device, Dr. Perkins headed the _Sea Eagle_ for the water, and,
+skillfully manipulating the craft, landed it as lightly as a drifting
+feather on the water by the hull of the _Betsy Jane_.
+
+Now came a further trial of the capabilities of the wonderful new craft
+which, so far, had proven such a success. Dr. Perkins set the planes in
+a rising position and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to hover above the _Betsy
+Jane_, like the bird for which the aerial craft had been named. Then
+suddenly he began a rapid descent, landing finally on the very summit of
+the inclined runway before mentioned. The sides of the _Sea Eagle_ were
+equipped with large metal hooks, which were hastily thrown out by the
+boys and attached to four "eyes" arranged to receive them.
+
+When this had been done the suction pump was set to work, and the
+inflated wings emptied of the gas, which was forced back into its
+receiver, and the valve closed. It was calculated that less than two per
+cent of the gas was lost during the process. The _Sea Eagle_ was now
+once more a simple hydroplane, without any buoyancy device.
+
+At a word from Dr. Perkins the hooks which had held the machine in place
+were disengaged, and instantly the craft began to glide down the runway.
+Half way down the engine was started, and when the graceful craft
+reached the abrupt end of the incline, the _Sea Eagle_ went soaring off
+into space like a huge white-winged bird. This test was regarded by Dr.
+Perkins as the most important, for it proved the entire practicability
+of launching the _Sea Eagle_ from a ship far out on the ocean.
+
+After circling in the air a few times the tests were concluded by a
+rapid drop toward the earth right above the summit of the island. Just
+as it seemed as if the new craft must end her career by being dashed to
+bits against the construction shed, a skillful twist of the steering
+device sent her soaring upward once more. Two more swinging aerial loops
+were described, and then, with hardly a jar or vibration, the _Sea
+Eagle_ was brought to rest by her inventor, almost in front of the shed
+where she had been assembled.
+
+As the thrilling and wonderful trip was concluded, the boys came
+pressing about Dr. Perkins, showering congratulations and good wishes.
+
+"Why, one could fly across the ocean in such a craft," declared Frank
+enthusiastically.
+
+The others laughed, but, to their astonishment, Dr. Perkins looked
+perfectly serious.
+
+"I have a long trip in view," he said, "a flight that will test every
+wire and bolt in the _Sea_ _Eagle's_ construction. I did not announce
+this before for I wished first to see if everything worked
+satisfactorily."
+
+"No doubt about that," said Billy Barnes with enthusiasm. He had been
+dodging about the great flying machine, taking photos from every
+possible angle.
+
+"No," admitted Dr. Perkins; "I must say that so far the _Sea Eagle_ is
+all that I could desire. But the final test will put that beyond the
+shadow of a doubt. Do you boys wish to undertake a long trip?"
+
+"Cookies and cucumbers! Do we!" roared Pudge, as the others pressed
+eagerly about to hear the unveiling of the doctor's plan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.--"C. Q. D.!"
+
+
+But they were compelled to curb their impatience till that evening after
+supper, for the doctor set every one busily to work "stabling" the _Sea
+Eagle_ and attending to the engines after the hard test they had
+undergone. Every part was carefully gone over, and it was found that
+despite the strain of the novel craft's first try-out, nothing save a
+few minor adjustments were required.
+
+"Now, dad," said Pudge, after the dishes had been washed and Ben had his
+pipe going, and the others were perched on the edge of the lower bunks,
+like so many birds on a rail, "now, then, dad, we are ready to hear your
+plans for that cruise."
+
+Dr. Perkins smiled.
+
+"I'm afraid, my boy," he said, "that you are in for a disappointment.
+While I thoroughly believe the _Sea Eagle_ is capable of conveying our
+whole party through almost anything, I am unwilling to place too great a
+burden on her at her first long-distance trial."
+
+Pudge's face lengthened.
+
+"Oceans and octopuses!" he groaned, "I s'pose I'm to be left behind, as
+usual."
+
+"I'm afraid it will be necessary," was the reply; "you see, there will
+only be room under my present plan for experienced navigators. But not
+to keep you in suspense any longer, my present plan is to cruise down
+the coast to Florida, round that peninsula, and then fly up to New
+Orleans, and then possibly I might test out the _Sea Eagle_ still
+further on a flight up the Mississippi."
+
+"Wow! And we're to miss all that?"
+
+"Not _all_ of it, Pudge," smiled the doctor. "I was planning to send you
+and Billy on ahead to meet us at New Orleans and make arrangements for
+our arrival there."
+
+"Cookies and catamounts! That's not so bad. I've always longed to see
+New Orleans. But, then, would you take us with you up the Mississippi?"
+
+"If we go--yes."
+
+"Look a-here," struck in Ben's bass voice at this point, "I don't want
+to butt in, or nothing like that, doctor; but this here is a cruise that
+just suits me. Would you have any objection if I went along with ther
+boys ter New Orleans?"
+
+"Why, I hadn't thought of it," confessed Dr. Perkins.
+
+"You see, I've got some partic'lar business down that way," said Ben,
+with a portentous wink at Harry; "ain't I, Harry?"
+
+The boy addressed instantly guessed that Ben referred to the supposed
+treasure trove lying at the bottom of the Black Bayou. Now, in the rush
+of events following Harry's return from his strange cruise on the _Betsy
+Jane_, he had quite forgotten about Raoul Duval's map. But now it
+flashed back on him, and the recollection caused him to flush with
+excitement.
+
+Dr. Perkins looked puzzled, while a glance of intelligence shot between
+the grizzled old adventurer and the boy.
+
+"Have I got your leave to tell about the sunken steamer?" inquired
+Harry.
+
+"Sure. Heave ahead, my boy," was the hearty answer; "I was never much of
+a hand at spinning a yarn."
+
+"Pirates and petticoats! What's all this about a yarn and a sunken
+ship?" demanded Pudge.
+
+"Sounds like some fresh adventure. Anything like the Buena Ventura
+cruise?" asked Billy Barnes, referring, of course, to their experiences
+in the Sargasso Sea.
+
+"I hope not," laughed Harry. "No, this is a much tamer affair," he
+continued. "Ben, here, thinks that he knows of a craft sunk in a bayou
+off the Mississippi, on board of which is a small fortune in gold dust
+and black pearls."
+
+"Gold dust and black pearls!" cried Billy Barnes. "Wow! that sounds like
+a regular story."
+
+"Suppose we let Harry heave ahead, as Ben calls it, and tell us what all
+this is about," suggested Frank quietly. But his eyes were shining. He
+knew that what Harry was about to communicate must be of deep interest
+from the manner in which the boy had spoken.
+
+"Yes, let us hear the story," said Dr. Perkins; "since we plan to be
+down in that region, anything of interest to be investigated will add to
+the pleasure of the trip."
+
+Thereupon Harry, without further delay, plunged into the narrative as
+Ben had related it to him. He was interrupted from time to time by
+excited exclamations, but at last he finished his narration and then,
+turning to Dr. Perkins, he said:
+
+"What do you think of it, sir?"
+
+"Aye, aye," growled out Ben, "supposin' the yarn is true, have I got a
+legal right to the stuff?"
+
+"Undoubtedly, if you have papers assigning the claim to you," said Mr.
+Perkins, after a moment's thought.
+
+"Oh, I've got them fast enough. I was goin' to chuck 'em away, but I
+thought better of it. Glad I did now, but you see I never thought I'd
+have a chance to go down there."
+
+Ben reached into his pocket and drew out a battered, brown leather
+wallet. From it he produced Raoul Duval's promise to deed him his
+(Duval's) interest in the supposed treasure chest, providing the loan
+Ben had made the mining man's son was not repaid. He handed the document
+to Dr. Perkins, who perused it with knitted brows.
+
+"This certainly appears to give you a legal claim to whatever may be of
+value in the late Duval's effects," he said.
+
+"Then you think it is worth looking into?"
+
+"By all means. While the story sounds fanciful to a degree, it is not
+much more so than plenty of recorded cases. At all events, no harm can
+be done by trying to locate the wreck, and it may be the means of
+rehabilitating your fortunes."
+
+"I dunno what that means," grinned Ben, "but if it signifies that I'm to
+get some money out of the cruise, I'm willing right now to split it up
+any way it suits you."
+
+"We can talk about that later," said Dr. Perkins, with a smile at the
+old man's enthusiasm; "now would you mind letting me have a look at that
+map to which Harry has referred?"
+
+"Here it be," grunted Ben, once more diving into the wallet and
+producing the map that Harry had looked over on Barren Island.
+
+"At any rate, this looks definite enough," declared Dr. Perkins after a
+careful examination of it. "Of course, as this Duval appears to be a
+thorough rascal, he may have 'cooked this up,' as the saying goes, in
+order to induce you to make him a loan. But certain things about it make
+me believe that it may be genuine. I recall reading some time ago a
+newspaper account of mysteries of the Mississippi, and among them was an
+account of the serious disaster to the _Belle of New Orleans_, so, at
+any rate, that part of the story is authentic enough."
+
+"Meanin' it's true," murmured Ben. "Waal, if you'll help me we'll soon
+find out the truth of it, or otherwise."
+
+"As I said," rejoined Dr. Perkins, "I had intended to cruise up the
+Mississippi from New Orleans. What you have told us furnishes us with a
+distinct object in making the trip, and," he added with a smile, "I
+suppose the spice of adventure about it does not displease the lads
+here."
+
+Frank was about to reply when, from the wireless table, there came a
+queer buzzing sound from an instrument which the boy had connected with
+his detector.
+
+"Hullo! some one is sending out a message," he exclaimed, "and our wires
+have caught it. Wonder what it can be."
+
+The boy rose and went over to the wireless table. Seating himself on the
+stool in front of the instruments he adjusted the "phones" and began
+putting his variable condenser in tune to catch whatever message was
+pulsing through the air.
+
+"What's coming?" demanded Harry, as the instruments began to crackle and
+snap.
+
+"Don't know yet," spoke Frank, again changing the capacity of the
+condenser; "looks as if----"
+
+He ceased speaking suddenly. Sliding his hand across the table he made
+an adjustment to catch longer sound waves. Instantly a hail of aerial
+dots and dashes came pattering against his ear drums, like rain on a
+window pane.
+
+With startling suddenness Frank sensed the meaning of the storm of
+desperate flashes.
+
+"C-Q-D! C-Q-D! C-Q-D!"
+
+"Some one out at sea is calling us in distress!" he cried loudly. The
+others, brim full of excitement, rose and crowded about him. But Frank
+waved them back.
+
+"No questions yet, please!" he said sharply, and then bent all his
+faculties to catching the voice out of the black night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.--"GOOD LUCK!"
+
+
+The silence in the hut was absolute as Frank bent low over his
+instruments. Even Pudge was subdued for once. There is something
+thrillingly dramatic to the most phlegmatic of temperaments in the idea
+of a wireless call for aid. Across unknown miles the message comes
+winging through the air--an appeal out of space.
+
+Of course, the others could not catch what was coming, for the whisper
+of the wireless waves sounds faint and shadowy even to one with the
+"phones" clasped to his ears. But Frank's manner showed plainly enough
+that, whatever was winging its way to his organs of hearing, was
+exciting to the last degree.
+
+Suddenly the boy switched to his transmitting apparatus. With his helix
+he began attuning the length of his sparks, while the snake-like blue
+flame hissed and crackled across the "high-efficiency" spark gap. It
+looked like a living thing of lambent fire, as it writhed and screamed
+in response to the pressure on the key.
+
+"What's wanted? Where are you?"
+
+This was the message that went speeding out on the air waves from the
+aerials above the hut.
+
+"This is the yacht _Wanderer_, from New York to Rocktown. We have struck
+a derelict and are leaking badly. Who are you?"
+
+"A station on Brig Island, about four miles at sea from Motthaven. Where
+are you?"
+
+The latter question was unanswered for the time being. Instead came
+another query:
+
+"Have you any means by which you can get to our assistance? We are in
+dire peril."
+
+"We will try to aid you. But what is your position?"
+
+"Wait. I'll look at the chart."
+
+There came a pause, during which Frank rapidly detailed what he had
+heard to the eager group of listeners. But in the midst of it the
+unknown sender broke in once more.
+
+"We are about twenty miles to the southeast of you, on an almost
+straight course. Can keep afloat only a few hours longer. Can you get
+tug from the mainland?"
+
+"Impossible," flashed back Frank, "but will do what we can. Are you at
+anchor?"
+
+"No, but the drift is very little. We are off soundings. Can you come to
+our aid?"
+
+Frank's fingers pressed down on the key firmly. Rapidly he sent this
+message pulsating:
+
+"How many on board?"
+
+"Three. Owner, a friend and a hand."
+
+"All right. Standby!"
+
+"Good-by, and hurry," came out of the night, and then--silence.
+
+Frank disconnected his instruments and turned to the others. Rapidly he
+detailed the impending tragedy out there in the darkness.
+
+"Can't we get to them in the motor boat?" demanded Harry breathlessly.
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"Not in the time we have. They can't keep afloat much longer, recollect.
+What can be done? Is there no way we can help them?"
+
+"Yes, there is."
+
+The words came quietly but in a decided tone from Dr. Perkins. Frank was
+the first to guess the import of the speech.
+
+"The _Sea Eagle_!" he exclaimed excitedly.
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+"Yes. Here is our chance to test her in the service of humanity. She is
+ready for flight this instant."
+
+"But in the darkness? How can we pick up this yacht?"
+
+"By the searchlight. Most likely the yacht has rockets. When she sees
+our searchlight she will send some up. That will give us her bearings.
+The general location of the craft we know."
+
+"Are we all to go?" demanded Pudge.
+
+"Hardly," rejoined his father, slipping into an overcoat, for the night
+was somewhat chilly, though the air was calm. "Frank and Harry, I need
+you two. You others await our return. Have hot coffee and food ready, as
+the survivors may be in need of nourishment."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," responded Ben; "and now, sir, if I may give a bit of
+advice, lose no time in getting away. I've been in some sea disasters
+myself, and sometimes every second counts."
+
+"You're right, Stubbs," ejaculated Dr. Perkins. "Boys, get the _Sea
+Eagle_ ready. I'll bring along the searchlight."
+
+While Frank and Harry hastened on their errand, Dr. Perkins got the
+searchlight out of its locker. It was a small but powerful one,
+constructed so as to fit into a socket on the _Sea Eagle's_ "bow." Its
+light was supplied from a small dynamo connected with the engine of the
+sea-and-air craft. By the time the doctor was ready the _Sea Eagle_ had
+been wheeled out of her shed, and Frank gave a sharp hail.
+
+"All ready, doctor!"
+
+"With you in a moment, my boy," was the response, as the inventor
+hastened out into the darkness.
+
+The outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ loomed up gray and ghostly in the gloom.
+Only a tiny speck of light showed in her bow by the steering wheel,
+where a minute electric bulb shed light on the compass. This light was
+obtained from a storage battery of peculiarly light construction,
+connected with the dynamo before mentioned.
+
+The boys had clambered on board as soon as the airship had been wheeled
+out of its shed. They extended their hands to Dr. Perkins and helped him
+on board. The searchlight was put in place and its wires connected to
+the storage battery. A snap of a switch and a sharp pencil of light cut
+the night. The appliance worked to perfection.
+
+"Now, then," said the doctor, as he took the wheel, "the less time we
+lose, the better. Frank, you had better apply the buoyancy apparatus, as
+we must make an abrupt rise to clear the trees."
+
+"Why not launch from the runway?" inquired Frank; "wouldn't that be
+quicker?"
+
+"That's right. I think it would. Head the prow round for the rails."
+
+Willing hands pushed the _Sea Eagle_ around, for on her ball-bearing
+supporting wheels she handled very easily, despite her great weight.
+
+Presently the craft was poised at the summit of the incline, ready for
+her rush downward.
+
+"Give her power!" cried the doctor.
+
+Frank seized the self-starting lever, and gave it a twirl. A pressure of
+his forefinger on the button followed, and almost simultaneously the
+motor began to thunder and roar.
+
+"Right here!" cried Frank.
+
+"All right. Hold tight. I'm going to apply full power."
+
+Dr. Perkins jerked back the clutch lever as he spoke. There was a
+jarring shock, and then a downward rush through the night, the
+searchlight cutting a blazing white path through the blackness. Down,
+down they raced at terrific speed. Suddenly the jarring movement ceased.
+The _Sea Eagle_ appeared to glide upward as if drawn skyward by
+invisible ropes. As the craft left the rails, and began soaring to the
+stars that looked quietly down on the exciting scene, a sound was borne
+upward to the aerial voyagers.
+
+"Good-by."
+
+And then an instant later in Ben's stentorian tones:
+
+"So long, mates! Go-o-o-d luck!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.--THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Up and out into the night winged the great sea-and-air craft, the
+powerful motors working without a skip, and the propellers beating the
+air with a noise like the drone of a mastadonic bee--or more
+appropriately, night beetle. Above shone the stars, steady points of
+brightness in the dark blue canopy of heavens; below stretched the
+silent, empty sea, heaving gently. The air was calm and still, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ cleaved her way through it powerfully. Dr. Perkins set the
+course at due southeast, and kept a careful eye on the compass.
+
+"What speed are we making?" shouted Frank presently.
+
+The inventor glanced at the aerial speed meter, a device of his own
+invention.
+
+"Close to fifty," he shouted back, for, owing to the roar of the engines
+and propellers, it was necessary to raise the voice in speaking to any
+one at a distance.
+
+"Then we should be in the vicinity in half an hour?"
+
+"Yes; that is unless----"
+
+But Dr. Perkins broke off abruptly. The _Sea Eagle_ had now attained a
+height of some five hundred feet, at which altitude he intended to keep
+the craft till they reached the vicinity of the disabled yacht.
+
+The cause of the sudden breaking off of his shouted remarks was this:
+Without the slightest warning the _Sea Eagle_ gave a sickening dip
+downward, and rushed toward the sea; or rather, to those in the falling
+ship, it seemed as if the sea was racing up devouringly toward them.
+
+"Gracious, what's happened?" shouted Harry.
+
+But Frank was too busy with the engine to answer just then.
+
+"Power! Give me lots of power!" yelled Dr. Perkins.
+
+But although Frank instantly opened up the motor to its full capacity of
+two thousand revolutions a minute, the downward rush still continued.
+
+"The sea! We'll be plunged into the sea!" cried Harry, in alarm,
+gripping a side support.
+
+Indeed there appeared to be good cause for his apprehension, for the
+_Sea Eagle_ was falling like a stone flung into space. All this, of
+course, took place in far less time than it takes to describe or to read
+it. In fact, hardly had Harry shouted his fears before the _Sea Eagle's_
+"hull"--as we must call the hydroplane part of the craft--struck the
+water, and a huge cloud of spray flew high on either side.
+
+But instead of diving, the _Sea Eagle_ shot forward over the waves,
+gliding over their tops for some time before Frank shut off the motor.
+Even then such was the "shooting" velocity gained, that the _Sea Eagle_
+still continued to scoot along until the young engineer, in response to
+Dr. Perkins' instructions, reversed her propellers, and thus brought the
+craft to a speedy standstill.
+
+"What on earth happened?" demanded Frank anxiously, as the _Sea Eagle_
+lay still, bobbing up and down on the gentle swell.
+
+"We struck an air pocket. An empty hole in space where there was no
+ether to support us," explained Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Gracious; I thought we were goners," cried Harry, still a little shaky
+over the fearful sensation of the fall.
+
+"Had the _Sea Eagle_ been of different construction we should have dived
+as straight to the bottom as a loon," said the inventor, "but the
+spoonlike construction of the bow allowed me to handle her so that,
+instead of the impulse of the fall being downward, it was diverted into
+a forward movement along the surface."
+
+"Shall we go up again?" asked Frank, after a hasty examination had been
+made to ascertain if anything had parted or snapped under the strain of
+the suddenly arrested tumble through the air pocket.
+
+"Yes. We had better lose as little time as possible," was the rejoinder.
+"If you are ready, start the engine up, and we will try a flight from
+the surface of the water."
+
+"You want full power?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes; but start up gently at first, gradually increasing to top
+velocity. I think, however, that we shall leave the water at about 1,500
+revolutions a minute."
+
+The next minute the roar of the newly started engine prevented further
+conversation. In order to develop every ounce of power of which the
+motor was capable Frank had opened the muffler cut-out, and the uproar
+was terrific. Spurts of greenish flame spouted from the exhausts, and
+the acrid smell of burning oil and gasolene filled the air. To any one
+less accustomed than the Boy Aviators to the uproar of aerial motors,
+the noise would have been alarming to say the least. They, however, were
+too much used to such scenes to pay any attention to it.
+
+Faster and faster the _Sea Eagle_ sped over the waves, till her keel
+barely touched the tips of the swells. Then suddenly the jerky motion
+ceased, and the craft, buoyed by its wings, began to soar upward in a
+steadily increasing gradient. Before ten minutes had passed they were
+once more on an even keel at a five-hundred-feet altitude, and bearing
+steadily for the southwest.
+
+Frank looked at his watch.
+
+"We ought to be getting pretty close to that yacht by now," he remarked
+to Harry, who had seated himself at his side, and was assisting in
+attending to the lubrication and watching of the motor.
+
+"I'll keep a sharp lookout," rejoined Harry; "they surely ought to hear
+the noise of our motor and send up a rocket or wave lights, or
+something, if they are in the vicinity.
+
+"That's just what I think. Keep your eyes open while I watch the
+engine."
+
+Harry peered out into the night, but as far as he could see nothing
+appeared but the reflection of the stars in the water to relieve its
+blackness.
+
+"I can't see anything yet," he said, after a while.
+
+"Just keep on looking," rejoined Frank; "there's a chance that they may
+have drifted from the position they gave us."
+
+"Well, in any case it would have been impossible for us to fly direct to
+the spot," rejoined Harry; "this thing is a good deal like looking for a
+needle in a haystack, to my way of thinking."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that. If they are anywhere within five or six miles
+they must hear the beat of our motor."
+
+"Wonder why Dr. Perkins doesn't switch on the searchlight. Hullo, there
+it goes now."
+
+As Harry spoke, a fan-shaped ray of brilliant white light cut the night
+in front of the _Sea Eagle_, like a radiant sword. Hither and thither it
+swept over the dark sea; but it revealed nothing. All at once Dr.
+Perkins shut the searchlight off.
+
+"If they have seen it they will reply in some way," he shouted in
+explanation to the boys. "Keep a bright lookout for an answer. I'll keep
+the _Sea Eagle_ swinging in circles. We have been doing thirty miles an
+hour, and even allowing for the delay when we struck the air pocket we
+ought to be in the disabled yacht's vicinity by this time."
+
+As the searchlight was extinguished Harry peered out into the darkness
+with straining eyes. Suddenly he gave a shout and clutched Frank's arm.
+
+"What's that," he shouted, "that light off there to the south?"
+
+"It's a lantern," cried Frank; "somebody's waving it."
+
+Dr. Perkins confirmed Frank's supposition, and the _Sea Eagle_, on her
+errand of rescue, was headed for the swinging pin-point of light in the
+distance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.--A TWENTIETH-CENTURY RESCUE.
+
+
+As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress,
+Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight. Its comforting beam
+shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a
+strange sight. As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single
+point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves
+on a striking picture of distress at sea.
+
+Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene
+craft, apparently up to the rails in the water. At any rate nothing of
+the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of
+the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men. One of these
+had been swinging the lantern, but he ceased as the bright light from
+the _Sea Eagle_ bathed the group in its rays. One single mast arose high
+above the pitching hull, and from it could be seen wires strung down to
+the cabin top. Evidently this was the wireless apparatus which had been
+the means of bringing the Boy Aviators and their friend to the rescue.
+
+The yacht could not have been more than fifty feet in length--a very
+small craft to be equipped with wireless; but her owner, if he was on
+board, must have been congratulating himself at that very moment on his
+wise precaution.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the searchlight had first revealed the
+_Wanderer_ and her distressed company that the _Sea Eagle_ was swinging
+in a graceful, birdlike circle in the air above the sinking craft.
+
+Frank seized up a small megaphone, which formed part of the sea and sky
+ship's equipment.
+
+"Ahoy! Aboard the yacht!" he cried.
+
+"Ahoy!" came back the cry, with a note of incredulous wonder in it, as
+well there might be, considering the extraordinary circumstances.
+
+"Are you the folks we talked with by wireless?" called Harry.
+
+"The very same," was the shouted reply, "but who are you? Can you get us
+off this? The ship won't last much longer."
+
+"We'll get you off all right," exclaimed Frank comfortingly, and as he
+spoke Dr. Perkins allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide down to the surface
+of the waves, alighting on the water about five hundred feet from the
+castaways. He at once headed the _Sea Eagle_ round, and calling for
+reduced speed made for the sinking yacht.
+
+"Slow down! Stop her! Reverse!" he shouted in rapid succession, as they
+bore down.
+
+"On board the yacht!" hailed Frank, as they glided up alongside, "throw
+us a line."
+
+The desired rope came snaking through the air, falling across the _Sea
+Eagle's_ bow. Harry bounded forward and made it fast.
+
+"Now haul in," ordered Dr. Perkins, as soon as the propellers had ceased
+to beat the air; "easy now; we don't want to foul the wings."
+
+His order was obeyed; and before long the _Sea Eagle's_ bow was scraping
+the side of the _Wanderer_. Fortunately, the sea was smooth, or the
+maneuver would have been impossible of execution. As it was, however, on
+the easy swell that was running it was made with comparatively small
+difficulty.
+
+"Well, great Caesar's ghost!" blurted out a stout, blond man in yachting
+costume, who occupied, apparently, the position of owner of the yacht,
+"if this isn't the twentieth century with a vengeance. Just think of it,
+Griggs--rescued by an aeroplane!"
+
+The man addressed, a good-natured-looking man, almost as corpulent as
+the first speaker, nodded appreciatively.
+
+"We don't really know how to thank you folks," continued the stout man;
+"we haven't much longer to stay above water, as you see. We hit a
+derelict at dusk, and stove in our port bow. The water came rushing in
+so fast that I had barely time to flash that wireless that you so
+providentially caught."
+
+"It was feeble enough, I can tell you," Frank assured him; "fortunately,
+we were not far off, and so managed to catch your appeal for help."
+
+The stout man was again warmly thanking his rescuers, when Dr. Perkins
+interrupted.
+
+"Suppose you come on board," he said; "by the looks of your craft she is
+likely to take a plunge at any minute. I'd like to be able to cut loose
+from her before that happens."
+
+Taking this hint, the stout man clambered on board the _Sea Eagle_ with
+more agility than might have been expected from a man of his heavy
+build. This done he extended a hand to his friend, and then came the
+turn of the third occupant of the cabin roof to disembark. This third
+man was evidently, from his costume, a paid hand on board the _Sea
+Eagle_. He was slight and dark and foreign looking, with beady black
+eyes, and a not over-prominent chin.
+
+Directly all were on board, Dr. Perkins ordered Frank to "cast off" from
+the sinking yacht. It was well this order was obeyed promptly, for
+hardly had the _Sea Eagle_ been disengaged from the other craft's side,
+than the _Wanderer_ gave a sudden plunge, bow downward, under the waves.
+For one instant her stern upreared itself vertically, showing the rudder
+and propeller, and then, as if by magic, the whole craft vanished, to
+find a grave in the ocean bed.
+
+All this was seen by the searchlight, which Dr. Perkins had kept
+concentrated on the yacht while the last act of this ocean drama was
+being consummated. As the yacht vanished a deep sigh broke from the
+stout man.
+
+"Good-by, poor old _Wanderer_," he said, "there's an end of this
+cruise."
+
+"I am sorry that she was not in a condition to tow to Brig Island,"
+remarked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"My dear sir, so far as the actual monetary loss is concerned it was
+fully covered by insurance," responded the stout man; "my only regret is
+to see a craft I was very fond of end her days in such a fashion. Also,
+I am afraid my friend Griggs here will be disappointed at the failure of
+our cruise."
+
+"Good heavens!" cried Mr. Griggs, who appeared to be a highly nervous
+individual, "I'm glad to have my life, Sterrett--glad to have my life. If
+I don't catch my death of cold over this I'll be fortunate indeed."
+
+"In the meantime," struck in the man addressed as Sterrett, "we are
+forgetting in our own troubles the debt of gratitude we owe to our
+friends here. In the first place, let me introduce ourselves. I am Paul
+Sterrett, late owner of the _Wanderer_. This is my friend, Samuel
+Griggs, and yonder," indicating the foreign-looking third man, "is
+Francis Le Blanc, our cook and general handy man. We left New York on a
+cruise up the coast sometime ago, and up till to-night experienced no
+mishaps. However, as my friend says, we must not repine; we should
+consider ourselves fortunate indeed to be onboard your remarkable craft
+instead of being in a watery grave, as we must have been had it not been
+for your opportune arrival."
+
+"We consider ourselves fortunate to have been of service to you,"
+responded the inventor, and then went on in his turn to introduce
+himself and his party, and also give a brief explanation of the _Sea
+Eagle_, which had, as may be imagined, excited the liveliest curiosity
+on the part of the rescued castaways.
+
+"But as we shall now get under way without further loss of time," he
+concluded, "you will be able to see for yourselves just how the _Sea
+Eagle_ is controlled, and what she can do."
+
+As he finished this speech, Dr. Perkins extinguished the searchlight,
+which had still been playing on the oil-streaked waters which marked the
+burial spot of the ill-fated _Wanderer_. This done, he gave Frank the
+"come ahead" signal. Obediently, as usual, the motor began its song, and
+the propellers took up the whirring, buzzing refrain. Mr. Sterrett and
+his companions sat perfectly still in the positions in the stern which
+had been assigned to them. Had it been light enough to read the
+expressions on their faces one would have said that they were absolutely
+dumbfounded.
+
+Of course both Mr. Sterrett and his friends--as well informed men--knew
+the wonderful capabilities of the modern aeroplane. They had witnessed
+many flights, and in common with the generality of progressive
+Americans, knew the general principles of aerial locomotion. But when
+the _Sea Eagle_ from a "boat" turned suddenly into a hydroplane, they
+exchanged swift expressions of the utmost astonishment. Only their
+companion, the paid "hand" from the yacht, sat sullenly unimpressed. In
+fact, since he had boarded the _Sea Eagle_, he had not uttered a
+syllable, only mumbling his thanks when Mr. Sterrett and his companion
+had finished expressing their gratitude for their rescue.
+
+Under the skillful guidance of Dr. Perkins, and the constant attention
+that Frank paid to the whirring motor, the _Sea Eagle_ made a quick run
+back to the island, being guided, when she was still some distance away,
+by the ruddy glare of a big beacon fire lighted by Ben Stubbs. It was an
+instance of the veteran adventurer's thoughtfulness and resource that he
+had thought of doing this, for in the hurry of the departure, no such
+instructions had been given him. But on his own responsibility he had
+kindled the blaze which materially aided the swift return of the _Sea
+Eagle_ to her eyrie.
+
+Reaching the island, the aerial wonder was sent swinging in decreasing
+circles, till Dr. Perkins was sure of a safe drop to the workshop on the
+summit of the little spot of land, and then, with a breath-catching
+rapidity, the helmsman sent his wonderful vessel earthward, bringing it
+to a stop within the ruddy glow caused by the blazing bonfire which had
+guided them.
+
+As the _Sea Eagle_ settled to the earth the party that had been left
+behind on the adventurous night flight pressed to the side of the novel
+craft. A glance showed them that the mission of Dr. Perkins' craft had
+been crowned with success, and Billy and Pudge began plying the returned
+voyagers with eager questions. Ben Stubbs was slightly in the
+background, and it was not till Mr. Sterrett and his companions had
+stepped out on to the ground that he got a good look at them.
+
+When he did, he gave a deep-drawn gasp of surprise. An expression of
+supreme amazement overspread his weather-beaten countenance. But his
+eyes did not fix on Mr. Sterrett or his companion, Griggs. Instead they
+traveled beyond the nattily clad yachtsmen and rested on the slim figure
+of the paid "hand."
+
+"Raoul Duval, as sure as there's a north star!" choked out Ben, half to
+himself, "waal, if this ain't a small bit of a world!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.--BEN'S PLAN STOLEN.
+
+
+For his part Duval was no less quick in recognizing Ben Stubbs. At the
+moment, Dr. Perkins and the rest were standing in a group a little
+apart, and discussing their adventure, while Mr. Sterrett was loud in
+his praises of the _Sea Eagle_, which he described as the most wonderful
+craft on earth. Giving a swift look round to see that he was unobserved,
+Duval pressed a finger to his lips to enjoin silence on Ben, and then
+beckoned him to come a short distance out of the firelight.
+
+Ben, in wonderment as to this unexpected reappearance of the young man
+who had exercised such sharp practice on him, obeyed the summons. But
+when he addressed Duval it was in an angry tone.
+
+"What's this mean," he exclaimed, "how did you come here?"
+
+"As you see, by that air ship," was the reply; "I never expected to see
+you here, however. I tell you, Stubbs, I've had a lot of hard luck. When
+those boys and that professor-chap rescued us I had been compelled to
+ship as a deckhand and cook on that yacht. Just think of it."
+
+"A mighty good thing for you, say I," grunted Ben brusquely, "a little
+good, honest, hard work will take some of the crooked kinks out of your
+brain. My recommendation to you, Duval, is to stick to that sort of a
+job, and in time you'll learn to be a man."
+
+Duval shot a look full of malice at the blunt old fellow. But his face
+was in the shadow, and Ben did not notice it. Instead he continued:
+
+"But I ain't the one to bear a grudge, Duval, although you did come
+mighty near shipwrecking my faith in human natur'. Shake hands, mate,
+and for your old father's sake I'll do what I can fer you. I ain't one
+to kick a man when he's down."
+
+Duval extended his thin, long-fingered hand, and Ben seized it in his
+rough paw and shook it with a heartiness that made the dark-skinned
+Duval flinch.
+
+"There!" exclaimed the old fellow heartily, as he relinquished his grip,
+"that's all ship-shape and in good trim. Now let's get back to the rest
+of 'em afore they see us talking apart."
+
+"You're not going to give me away to them?" asked Duval, almost
+breathlessly. "Sterrett thinks I'm all right, and may give me a better
+job some time."
+
+"I won't stand in your way, lad," heartily rejoined Ben. "In fact, I'd
+like to help you get on your feet again."
+
+"How about that plan of the location of the _Belle of New Orleans_?"
+asked Duval, without paying any attention to Ben's last remarks.
+
+"Safe enough in my pocket, mate," replied Ben, tapping his worn coat;
+"why do you want to know?"
+
+"I wondered if you had investigated my story."
+
+"No, I haven't yet; but I don't mind telling you that I may do so before
+very long. And I'll tell you right now, Duval, that if we recover
+anything valuable from that wreck I'll see to it that you get a good
+share of it, and then you can set up in business again and make a new
+start."
+
+Duval expressed what appeared to be very deep thanks for Ben's
+generosity. But, in reality, his thoughts were busy elsewhere. An idea
+had come into his head that was to bear strange fruit before very long.
+They joined the group clustered about Dr. Perkins without their absence
+having been noticed. Billy and Pudge had seen to it while the _Sea
+Eagle_ was on her mission of rescue that a good hot lunch should be
+ready on the return of the expedition. A few moments after Ben and Duval
+joined the others Pudge announced this fact, and the party trooped into
+the hut, nothing loath, to fall to with hearty appetites on a good meal.
+Soon after they "turned in," the boys insisting on the strangers taking
+their bunks, while they and Ben Stubbs put up with "shake-downs" on the
+floor.
+
+It was very late--or rather early morning--when they retired, and before
+long all were wrapped in the deep sleep of exhaustion. Ben was the first
+to awaken, to find the sun streaming into the hut.
+
+"Great guns!" he exclaimed, glancing at Billy's alarm clock on a shelf,
+"it's after seven."
+
+Broad awake in a jiffy, he aroused the others, going from the floor
+sleepers to the bunks. Dr. Perkins, Mr. Sterrett and the latter's friend
+were awakened in turn, and it was not till then that Ben noticed that
+Duval's bunk was empty.
+
+"Good fer him," he said to himself warmly, "the young chap has started
+to turn over a new leaf by gittin' out early. I'll take a turn outside
+afore breakfast and see if I can find him."
+
+But Duval was not about the workshop, nor did Ben's calls summon him to
+breakfast. It was not till that instant that an ugly suspicion flashed
+into Ben's hitherto unsuspecting mind. Without saying a word to the
+others he hastily drew out his wallet and, withdrawing to a corner of
+the hut, examined its contents. Instantly his suspicions were verified.
+
+The plan of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_ was
+missing!
+
+Stifling his anger as well as he could, Ben hastened to the beach. As he
+had suspected the moment he found the plan missing, the small skiff was
+gone. What had happened was as plain as print to Ben now. Young Duval
+had waited till all in the hut were asleep, then he had stealthily crept
+from his bunk, recovered the plan he had given to Ben, and had decamped
+in the small boat.
+
+"Waal, the dern scallywag!" burst out Ben, as he stood on the beach in
+the first shock of his discovery.
+
+In his anger he shook his fist at the strip of sea between the island
+and the mainland to which, he did not doubt, Duval had crossed in his
+flight.
+
+"The--the--precious scamp!" he continued, his bronzed features working,
+"and I trusted him as I would have trusted his dad."
+
+Shaking his head, Ben slowly made his way from the beach back to the
+hut. He said nothing of his discovery during breakfast, but after the
+meal he found a pretext for drawing Dr. Perkins to one side. To him he
+communicated what had occurred.
+
+"A good riddance of bad rubbish," said Dr. Perkins when Ben, whose voice
+shook with anger, had concluded his story; "we are cheaply rid of him,
+Ben."
+
+The inventor, while not a selfish man, was so wrapped up in the success
+of the _Sea Eagle_ that, to him, the loss of the plan of the wreck did
+not appeal in the same way that it did to Ben Stubbs. But the old
+adventurer took him up indignantly.
+
+"Bad rubbish, as you say, sir," he grated out, "but if that paper hadn't
+bin worth something Duval wouldn't have taken it. It's good-by to
+recovering that stuff from the _Belle of New Orleans_ now."
+
+"By Jove! I'd quite forgotten my promise to you," said Dr. Perkins
+contritely; "but never fear, Ben, I'll see that you are not a loser."
+
+"It ain't that," rejoined Ben; "I don't give a snap for the plan; but
+it's the ingratitood of that young whippersnapper that's got me sore.
+I'd like--I'd like to find that wreck just to get ahead of him."
+
+"Humph!" rejoined the inventor, "I understand your feelings. He has
+certainly treated you very badly. But possibly we can think up some way
+to outgeneral him."
+
+"Don't see how we are goin' to do it without that plan," rejoined Ben;
+"but I ain't one to cry over spilt milk. It's gone, and that's all there
+is to it. The best thing to do is to forget it."
+
+Frank and Harry, on their way to the _Sea Eagle's_ shelter, were passing
+at the moment. After asking the inventor if he thought it would be
+advisable, and receiving an affirmative reply, Ben called them over. As
+briefly as he could he told them what had happened.
+
+"Well, the precious rascal!" broke out Frank; "I thought there was
+something snaky-looking about the chap last night. Isn't there a chance
+of catching him?"
+
+"Not such a slick rascal as he is, Frank," rejoined Ben despondently;
+"no, the plan is gone, and gone for good--so good-by to that."
+
+But Harry now spoke up, and to the astonishment of the others his voice
+did not hold a trace of the disappointment they could not help but feel.
+
+"Cheer up, Ben," he said heartily, "and by the way you might just cast
+your eye over this and see if it looks familiar."
+
+As he spoke he dipped a hand into his breast pocket and produced a
+folded paper. Ben, with a mystified expression, took it and opened the
+thing up. The next instant it almost fell from his hands.
+
+"Why!--why, by the glittering Pole Star!" he choked out, "it's the plan
+itself!"
+
+"Not exactly," laughed Harry, "but I think it's a pretty good copy. You
+see I always liked drawing and that sort of thing, so when you showed me
+that plan I memorized it, and when I got a chance I sketched out this
+copy in case anything happened to the original. I think it's good enough
+to take a chance on."
+
+"Good enough!" roared Ben, "why, lad, it's the plan itself. Now, then,
+if we don't beat Master Duval to the _Belle of New Orleans_ call me a
+double-decked, lee-scuppered sea cook!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.--WHAT HAPPENED ASHORE.
+
+
+As Ben had surmised, Duval had waited till the boys and their friends
+were sound asleep, and had then, in accordance with a plan he had
+thought of the instant he set eyes on his kind-hearted friend, sneaked
+out of his bunk and, tip-toeing softly to Ben's clothes, located the
+wallet and with small trouble or loss of time abstracted the plan of the
+lost wreck. During the evening the ingrate had heard a description of
+the island given to Mr. Sterrett by Dr. Perkins, so that after taking
+the plan he left the hut and made for the beach by the path through the
+woods.
+
+Shoving off the skiff, he had taken up the oars and started rowing as
+fast as he could for the mainland. But what with the darkness and his
+unfamiliarity with that part of the coast, he had failed to land in the
+cove adjoining the fisher village of Motthaven, and had beached his
+craft a considerable distance to the south of the place. It was just
+growing light when the bow of the skiff grated on the sand, and Duval
+hastily scrambled out and started off. His object was to find a railroad
+station and travel as far as his scant supply of money would take him
+from the vicinity of Brig Island.
+
+After that his plans were still vague; but he had an indefinite idea of
+getting to New York or some large town, and interesting anybody with
+capital to finance an expedition for the recovery of the gold dust chest
+and the bag of black pearls that lay at the bottom of the Black Bayou
+amid the moldering timbers of the lost steamer. The utter depravity and
+black-heartedness of this plan, and his base ingratitude to the man who
+had aided him in every way, did not strike him. Instead, there was but
+one over-mastering thought in his mind, and that was to secure whatever
+treasure might be in the wreck as quickly as possible, and then vanish
+from America for some foreign country with his ill-gotten wealth.
+
+Busy with such thoughts as these, he hastened up the beach in the gray
+of the dawn, and finding a rough sort of path leading up the low cliff
+that overhung the beach, he started to ascend it. He had not gone more
+than a few paces, however, before he saw, buried back in some trees, a
+rough-looking hut.
+
+Duval was hungry and thirsty, and, moreover, his long row, at such a
+feverish pace, had exhausted him. Determining to tell a story that would
+account for his presence in that isolated part of the coast at such an
+early hour, he made up his mind to apply at the hut for some
+refreshment. His story was to be that he had set off on a fishing
+expedition and had lost his way and been wandering all night.
+
+"Probably only some fool fisherman lives there who will believe anything
+I choose to tell him," he thought; "these fellows are all as thick as
+mud, anyhow."
+
+Musing to himself in this fashion, the renegade fellow made his way
+toward the hut and, coming to the door, knocked loudly on it. But there
+was no answer, and when, after repeated knockings, he could elicit no
+response, Duval determined that, as there appeared to be nobody at home,
+he would walk in uninvited and see what he could "forage" for himself.
+
+The door was unlocked; in fact, it had no latch and hung crazily on its
+rusty hinges. Opening it, Duval found himself in an interior as rough
+and uncouth as the outside of the hut had promised. A table made of old
+planks, seemingly flotsam from the beach, two soap boxes for chairs, and
+a rough sort of bunk, or rather shelf, littered with a pile of dirty old
+blankets, made up the furnishings. On the table were the remains of a
+meal, which had consisted apparently of roasted lobsters and fish. Two
+tin cups and tin plates, with battered knives and forks beside them,
+completed the table service.
+
+"Confound it all," muttered Duval, "whoever lives here is as poor as a
+church mouse. Some miserable fisherman, I suppose, who has hardly enough
+to keep body and soul together."
+
+He walked to a corner of the shack where there was a sort of cupboard
+contrived out of old boxes. He had guessed that this formed the pantry
+of the establishment. Sure enough, in it he found a loaf half consumed,
+and the remains of a roasted lobster, as well as some scraps of fish. He
+was too hungry to be particular and was just about to start eating when
+a quick step behind him caused him to start violently, dropping the food
+he had in his hand.
+
+But before he could utter a word the young man--or, rather, loutish
+boy--who had entered so quietly, owing to his being barefooted, stepped
+up to him and, raising a heavy oar he carried, dealt the intruder a blow
+that deprived him of his senses for the time being.
+
+As Duval fell to the floor a man in rough fisherman's garb, with a
+wrinkled, mahogany-tinged face and a tuft of gray whisker on his
+prominent chin, entered.
+
+"Why, Zeb, what's up?" he exclaimed, in an astonished voice.
+
+"I found this feller snoopin' about in here, pop," was the rejoinder,
+"an' I calkelated ter lay him out till we could find out what his
+business was."
+
+"Good ernuff, boy," responded the elder Daniels, for most of our readers
+must be aware by this time of the identity of the two newcomers; "but
+who do yer suppose he is? He's dressed like one of them fancy sailors
+off'n a yacht."
+
+"Dad, I figger he's a detective sent here by them kids on Brig Island.
+That's the way it looks to me."
+
+"I guess you're right, Zeb. Here, give me a hand to get him up on the
+bunk. By hickory, but you must have hit him a clip."
+
+"Reckon I did land kind er hard on him, dad, but I wasn't takin' chances
+of his turning on me."
+
+The two worthies lifted Duval's limp form and laid it, not over-gently,
+on the tumbled pile of frowsy blankets. This done, a sudden thought
+struck the elder Daniels.
+
+"Calkerlate I'll take a look through his pockets," he said; "might
+rummage out something worth havin'."
+
+Zeb helped his father in this task; but aside from a small sum of money,
+and a collection of worthless odds and ends, they found nothing that
+appeared to them to be of importance. In an inner pocket Zeb came across
+the stolen map. Much mystified, he showed it to his father.
+
+"What do you think this kin be, pop?" he inquired.
+
+The old man took it and knitted his brow over the document in a puzzled
+fashion.
+
+"By hickory, I kain't make it out," he confessed; "thar's some riting in
+ther corner, though. Spell it out, Zeb."
+
+Zeb, obediently, but somewhat laboriously, read out:
+
+"'Map of the location of the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_.'
+That's what it says; but what does it mean?"
+
+"That's plain enough, ain't it?" retorted the old man. "It's a map of
+some wreck or other, but what does this feller want with it? That's the
+question."
+
+"Better ask him. He's opening his eyes and coming to."
+
+Sure enough Duval stirred uneasily, and threw up his hand as if to ward
+off a blow.
+
+"Don't hit me, Frank Chester," he cried out; "I'll give back the plan I
+stole."
+
+"Oh-ho! That's the way the wind blows, is it?" muttered the elder
+Daniels, and then, addressing Duval, who was now staring wildly about
+him, he said:
+
+"So you come from Brig Island, eh, my hearty?"
+
+"Yes; but how did I get here? Oh, I remember now. I was looking for food
+and somebody struck me."
+
+"That was me, I reckon," grinned Zeb, "who are you, anyhow? Did those
+kids on Brig Island send you here after us?"
+
+What with the effects of his blow, and his alarm at his position, Duval
+lost his customary caution.
+
+"I'm no friend of anybody on Brig Island," he exclaimed, "but what do
+you know about that place, anyhow?"
+
+"A whole lot," grimly rejoined the elder Daniels; "now, see here, my
+lad, you'd best make a clean breast of it. How did you come by this
+plan?"
+
+The old fisherman, who was pretty keen-minded, had guessed by Duval's
+guilty manner that there was some mystery connected with the document
+which he now flourished.
+
+Duval sat up on the bunk and pleaded for the return of the plan; but to
+no avail.
+
+"I'm smart enough to see through a wall when there's a hole in it," said
+old Daniels; "now, see here, I reckon you ain't no friend of them kids
+on the island?"
+
+Duval shook his head. He had, of course, no reason to dislike the boys;
+but he was an arrant coward at heart, and saw that the men in whose
+power he was, hated the young dwellers on Brig Island. He therefore
+thought it good policy to affect to be of their way of thinking.
+
+"I'm no friend of theirs," he said, rather sullenly, "but what's that to
+you?"
+
+"May be a whole lot, if this plan is what I think it is. Now I've a
+pretty good idea that you come by it in no very honest way. Ain't that
+so?"
+
+"I--I was given it," stammered Duval uneasily, while Zenas' little
+gimlet-like gray eyes bored him through.
+
+"That's a lie," rejoined Daniels easily; "come on, out with the truth,
+now. It won't do you no harm, and may keep you from the constables."
+
+This was a shrewd move on Daniels' part. Duval's eyes dilated with fear
+at the idea of coming within the reach of the law. Without more ado he
+blurted out part of the story of the lost _Belle of New Orleans_, and
+offered to let Zenas share in the prize if he should locate it. While
+Duval was talking the elder Daniels had leaned forward, consumed with
+interest. Avaricious to a degree, the thought of the sunken treasure
+made him fairly burn with desire to gain it.
+
+"You're sure that was a true story that feller give you?" he asked, as
+Duval concluded his story.
+
+"I'm certain of it. I know for a fact that my father had a lot of gold
+dust and those black pearls with him on his last voyage, for he had
+written home about the fortune that he was bringing."
+
+"Humph! Waal, your story sounds all right, and I don't know but what
+you've come to the right shop to get some one to help you get at the
+wreck. I've got a diving outfit and a little money, and I kin raise some
+more. Now sit down and Zeb will get you a bite to eat, and we'll talk
+things over."
+
+And thus was begun an alliance which was to prove a source of much
+trouble to the Boy Aviators and their friends in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.--OFF ON THE "AIR ROUTE."
+
+
+In the meantime indignation was at white heat on Brig Island. Mr.
+Sterrett was for advertising the disappearance of Duval, and offering a
+reward for his apprehension. He confessed that he had not liked the
+man's looks, but had shipped him as help was hard to get at the time.
+Dr. Perkins agreed that it might not be a bad idea to communicate at
+once with the authorities and try to have the rascal captured.
+
+"But," he added, "I am afraid he is too clever a scamp to fall into the
+clutches of the law very easily."
+
+"I am of that opinion, too," frankly admitted Mr. Sterrett, "but it will
+do no harm to do all we can to place him where he belongs."
+
+To get ashore Frank had first to swim off to the motor boat, for the
+skiff, as we know, had vanished. He then ran the engine-driven craft in
+alongside some rocks that sloped down into deep water, and from that
+elevation the party embarked. A quick run was made to Motthaven, from
+whence a description of Duval was wired to the metropolitan police, and
+the local authorities urged out of their usual lethargy by promises of a
+reward if Duval was found. Late that afternoon the search yielded
+results in the finding of the abandoned skiff, and the discovery of the
+hut in which the Daniels had been living since the boys had instituted
+proceedings against them.
+
+Some evidences of a hasty departure were found, but no clews that would
+give any idea of whither the fugitives had proceeded. In fact it was
+only by piecing together some scraps of torn paper that it was
+discovered that the hut had been used by the Daniels as a refuge.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Perkins that evening, after they had bidden good-by to
+Mr. Sterrett and his friend, who had returned to New York, "well, in my
+opinion the less time we lose in getting to Black Bayou the better it
+will be, for, to my mind, there is little doubt that Duval means to
+forestall our friend, Ben Stubbs, in ransacking the wreck."
+
+The others agreed that this seemed highly probable, and Dr. Perkins made
+immediate arrangements for a caretaker to occupy quarters on Brig Island
+during their absence. This done, a return was made to the little
+settlement, and the next day final preparations were made for the
+adventurous trip through the air. The _Sea Eagle_ was provisioned, and a
+light wireless apparatus installed, the stay wires being used as
+aerials. Of course the instruments were not so strong as those used at
+the shore station, but it was calculated that they had a capacity of
+about twenty miles over land, and forty above the sea, depending, of
+course, a good deal on the wave adjustment and the weather conditions.
+
+Twenty-four hours after the adventurers had started work on the _Sea
+Eagle_, the craft was ready for her dash. Ben Stubbs, Pudge Perkins and
+Billy Barnes were to go to New Orleans, there to await the arrival of
+the party. Their departure took place amid regretful wails from Pudge,
+who loudly declaimed:
+
+"Aerials and ant-hills! I don't see why we can't go by the _Sea Eagle_."
+
+But Dr. Perkins' word was law and he had decided that the fewer persons
+who took part in the test the better the chance of success would be, and
+as Frank and Harry were both experienced aviators he placed great
+reliance in their aid. The morning after the departure of the New
+Orleans-bound passengers the caretaker and his family arrived. They were
+honest folk from the shore, who could be trusted to look after the many
+valuable devices on the island, and keep curiosity seekers off till the
+party returned. For Dr. Perkins had decided to use Brig Island as a
+permanent workshop, and expected, if the _Sea Eagle_ proved a success,
+to build many craft like her and dispose of them at good prices. The
+working of the electric fence was explained to the caretaker; but he
+declared:
+
+"I reckon my old gun will do more to keep undesirables off than any of
+them electric didoes."
+
+There was now nothing more to do, the caretaker being duly installed,
+but to take to the air, in what was, at that date, the most unique
+aerial craft in existence. For the voyage, beside the provisions and
+extra fuel and oil, life belts had been provided, and not a detail had
+been overlooked. It was seven o'clock on a fine, breathless morning when
+Dr. Perkins gave the order, "Start up the engines!"
+
+A thrill shot through both Frank and Harry at the words. Experienced in
+aerial adventure as were both boys, they could not but feel that they
+were embarking on the most adventurous undertaking of their lives.
+
+"We're off!" cried Harry, as a quiver ran through the craft, and the
+motor roared from its exhausts, emitting clouds of mingled flame and
+blue smoke.
+
+"Yes; off on a fight for fame and fortune!" cried Frank, as Dr. Perkins
+threw in the clutch; and, with her propellers beating the air so rapidly
+that they were a mere blur, the _Sea Eagle_ shot skyward.
+
+In half an hour's time, to the watchers on the island, the aerial craft
+had dwindled to a mere dot in the distant sky, and five minutes later
+she vanished from view. The boys gave many backward looks as they winged
+away from Brig Island. Despite their adventures, they had spent many
+pleasant days there, and it appeared to them to be almost a second home.
+Of all that they were to experience before returning to the island they
+little dreamed at the moment, but their hearts beat high with exultation
+as the _Sea Eagle_ winged her way southward at forty miles an hour, and
+about five hundred feet above the ocean.
+
+They had been in the air about an hour when they encountered a situation
+which may become common enough before many years have passed, but which
+was an exciting novelty to them. Off on the horizon a liner was sighted,
+steaming toward the American coast. Before long they made her out to be
+a big, two-funneled craft, painted black, and with numerous decks rising
+above her shapely hull.
+
+"One of the transatlantic liners that make Portland their terminal,"
+decided Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Shall I wireless them?" said Harry.
+
+"Yes, do so. It will be an interesting experiment, and besides will show
+how the apparatus will work."
+
+Harry lost no time in getting to work. After a brief interval he
+"raised" the operator on the liner, Dr. Perkins keeping the _Sea Eagle_
+swinging in big, lazy circles while he did so.
+
+"We sighted you from the bridge half an hour ago," flashed the operator,
+"who and what are you?"
+
+"The hydro-aeroplane _Sea Eagle_, bound from Maine for New Orleans. Who
+are you?" flashed back Harry.
+
+"The _Ultonia_, of the Portland and Liverpool line, eight days out from
+England," was the rejoinder; "have you got any American newspapers on
+board?"
+
+Now it happened that Dr. Perkins had brought some papers of the day
+before along in his pockets, and at Harry's request he handed them to
+him.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Frank.
+
+"I was going to suggest that we dive across the _Ultonia_ and deliver
+the papers," said Harry; "can we do it, doctor?"
+
+"By all means," rejoined Dr. Perkins, deeply interested; "flash them a
+message of what we intend to do so that they may be prepared."
+
+Harry sent out the message and the operator flashed back a quick
+"Thanks," adding the next moment: "Good-by. I'm going to beat it out on
+deck and watch you."
+
+Frank, in the meantime, had done the papers up in a compact bundle and
+weighted them with an empty beef can.
+
+"All ready?" cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+"All ready, sir," was the prompt reply from the boys.
+
+"Then hold tight. I'm going to make a swift dive."
+
+The liner was now almost directly underneath the soaring _Sea Eagle_.
+Her rails were black with passengers craning their necks upward at the
+great, man-made bird. From her funnels poured clouds of inky smoke,
+while her sharp prow cut the water on each side of her bow into
+sparkling foam. On the bridge were uniformed officers, pointing
+binoculars and spy glasses aloft, for the operator had communicated the
+news of what the _Sea Eagle_ was about to do.
+
+Suddenly the watching throngs of ocean travelers saw the _Sea Eagle_
+poise in air like a hawk about to pounce. Then down she came, cleaving
+the air like a falling stone.
+
+A great cry went up from the packed decks. It seemed as if the air craft
+must perish, that nothing could check her fall, and that she was doomed
+to plunge headlong into the sea. But in a flash the cry changed to a
+mighty cheer.
+
+Less than forty feet from the water the _Sea Eagle_ was seen to shoot
+upward and straight toward the steamer. Like an arrow from a bow the
+great aerial craft shot whizzing above the liner's bridge, and under the
+wireless aerials extending from mast to mast. Just as she roared by
+above the officers' heads, like some antedeluvian thunder-lizard,
+something was seen to fall downward and land on the top of the
+charthouse. It was the bundle of papers thrown by Harry. A sailor
+scrambled up and got them, while the crowded decks yelled themselves
+hoarse.
+
+Then the _Sea Eagle_ soared up high above the mast tips, and Harry
+seated himself at the wireless once more. Presently to his ears came a
+message from the speeding liner far below.
+
+"Captain Seabury wishes to congratulate you on the most wonderful feat
+of the century."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.--AN AeRIAL AMBULANCE.
+
+
+Harry was about to flash back an answer to the message of congratulation
+when, suddenly, into the scene of triumph was injected a grim note of
+threatened tragedy. One of the passengers, a young woman who had been
+leaning far out over the rail of the boat deck waving a handkerchief of
+filmy lace and linen, was seen, all at once, to topple from her perch.
+
+The next instant, and while her shrill scream for help still rent the
+air, a young man who had been standing beside her jumped out into space
+without waiting to do more than strip off coat and shoes. The _Ultonia_
+was speeding ahead at the fastest gait her twin screws were capable of.
+She was a large vessel, probably some 15,000 tons of registration, and
+her momentum was too great to stop her for a considerable distance.
+
+From the _Sea Eagle_ horrified eyes saw the accident, and witnessed the
+young woman's head bob up for an instant amid the frothy wake of the big
+craft. The liner's whistle screamed out a shrill alarm, and men could be
+seen scampering to lower a boat, while life buoys were thrown overboard.
+
+But before anything more could be done the _Sea Eagle_ took a sudden
+swoop, a swift dive downward, characteristic of the bird for which she
+had been named.
+
+The wonderful craft struck the water with a force that sent a cloud of
+spray boiling up about her, temporarily hiding her substructure and her
+occupants from view.
+
+"She's sunk!" went up a moaning cry from the decks of the liner. But,
+no! An instant later it was seen that the _Sea Eagle_, an aeroplane no
+longer but a winged boat, was speeding as fast as her twin propellers
+could drive her toward the spot where the young woman had last been
+seen.
+
+Hardly a word, except Dr. Perkins' caution to "hang on tight," had been
+exchanged between the aviators from their simultaneous observation of
+the accident till the moment the _Sea Eagle_ struck the water. But now
+orders came quick and fast.
+
+"Attend to the engines!"
+
+The order came from Frank, and Harry sprang into the place his brother
+vacated.
+
+Frank hastily buckled on one of the life jackets and then, as the _Sea
+Eagle_ skimmed the water at a twenty-five knot gait, he scanned the
+seething lane of foam behind the liner. Suddenly he saw what he was
+looking for. A white, imploring face, crowned with a wealth of golden
+hair.
+
+"Save me!" screamed the girl who, although she had been swimming, was by
+this time too exhausted with the effects of her immersion and the weight
+of her water-soaked clothes, to keep up any longer. Without an instant's
+hesitation, Frank leaped into the water and began striking out with
+powerful strokes for the sinking girl. He reached her side just as she
+was going down for the third time.
+
+[Illustration: WITHOUT AN INSTANT'S HESITATION, FRANK LEAPED INTO THE
+WATER.]
+
+In the meantime the young man who had sprung after her had also become
+exhausted, and would certainly have sunk had not Dr. Perkins headed the
+_Sea Eagle_ in his direction. Leaning far out as they came alongside the
+struggling man, Harry grasped him by the collar, and then half dragged
+him into the hydroplane portion of the air craft. This done, full speed
+was made for Frank and the young woman.
+
+None too soon did they reach Frank's side. With the blind instinct of a
+drowning person the young woman was clinging so tightly to Frank that,
+strong swimmer though he was, he had much difficulty in keeping above
+the water. Dr. Perkins ordered the motor stopped as they neared the two,
+and allowed the _Sea Eagle_ to glide up to them. Then both he and Harry
+bent all their strength to hauling on board, first the young woman and
+then Frank.
+
+By this time the liner's speed had been checked, and her officers were
+swinging her in a broad circle to the scene of the accident. A boat had
+been lowered and was heading for the _Sea Eagle_, but Dr. Perkins,
+snatching up the megaphone, hailed the oarsman and told them that
+everything was all right.
+
+This done, power was applied once more, and the _Sea Eagle_ headed for
+the liner's side. As if guessing his intention a gangway had been
+lowered, and all was ready for their reception as they came alongside.
+In the meantime the young man had introduced the golden-haired young
+woman as his bride, and himself as Stanley Travers, of Portland, Me. To
+say that both he and Mrs. Travers were grateful would be not to state
+one half of their actual feelings.
+
+In fact, their expressions of appreciation took so long that one of the
+officers at the head of the gangway shouted:
+
+"This is a mail boat and we must hurry, please."
+
+While this was going on congratulations on the plucky act had been
+shouted down from the uniformed skipper on the bridge and from a score
+of the passengers that banked the rails three and four deep.
+
+At last Mr. and Mrs. Travers, wet to the skin, clambered up the liner's
+tall, black side, and the boat was hauled up on the davits. As the big
+craft, dipping her ensign and blowing her siren, heaved ahead, a shout
+of enthusiasm went up. But it was drowned by the roar of the _Sea
+Eagle's_ motor. Hardly had the propellers of the vessel begun to churn
+the water once more before Dr. Perkins' craft rose from the water like a
+white-winged sea gull after a refreshing dip. As the gallant sea-and-air
+ship rose, her three occupants waved their hands in farewell in
+rejoinder to the babel of shouts beneath them.
+
+"Well, at any rate, if the _Sea Eagle_ never does anything more,"
+remarked Dr. Perkins, "she has accomplished a great deal."
+
+"I should think so," exclaimed Frank, who had slipped into dry clothes
+as soon as the _Sea_ _Eagle_ took the air once more; "it isn't every
+craft that finds her baptism in life-saving at sea."
+
+As long as they could see the _Ultonia_ the big liner continued to blow
+her whistle, and doubtless the eyes of all her passengers remained fixed
+attentively on the wonderful sky ship as she waxed smaller and smaller
+against the blue. That afternoon the voyagers found themselves off Cape
+Ann. High above the cape they flew, cutting off a good chunk of distance
+in this way. The folks in West Gloucester stared in wonderment as the
+huge air ship soared by high above the town, and when a short time later
+the aviators passed above the white-winged fishing fleet, every tin pan
+and fog horn in the flotilla of small craft sounded an enthusiastic "God
+speed" to the air travelers.
+
+Far behind the main body of the fisher craft lagged a small sloop, and
+as the _Sea Eagle_ came closer to her the boys noticed that her flag was
+flying from the peak "union down," a sign of distress the world over.
+The big hydro-aeroplane was flying low at the time, and it was easy to
+see, without the aid of glasses, that several men were running about the
+sloop's decks and shouting something up at the air voyagers.
+
+"Shall we go down and see what the trouble is?" asked Frank, as he and
+Harry saw the signs of distress.
+
+"Yes," decided the doctor, "no craft, either of the air or of the sea,
+can disregard such a signal of disaster. It will be odd if, for the
+second time on the very first day of our cruise, we are able to render
+aid to somebody who needs it badly."
+
+The boys thought so, too, and as they dropped seaward the minds of all
+three occupants of the _Sea Eagle_ were busy with speculations
+concerning what could be the cause of the sloop's distress. Dr. Perkins
+caused his craft to alight gently on the sea a short distance from the
+sloop, and then headed her over the waves toward the distressed vessel.
+As they drew closer they could see a grizzled-looking fellow, in rough
+fisher's garb, leaning over the side.
+
+"Come quick!" he shouted, "there's been bad work going on aboard!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.--AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
+
+
+"What's up?" cried Frank.
+
+"Yes, what's the trouble?" came from Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Trouble enough. We sprang a leak two days ago, out on the fishing
+banks, and have been at the pumps ever since. Now we've got the leak
+stopped, but my mate, Joe Higgins, was struck on the head by the boom
+and is so mortal bad that if we don't get a doctor for him pretty quick
+I'm afraid he'll die. Then, too, our provisions is run out."
+
+While the man was reciting this catalogue of mishaps the _Sea Eagle_ was
+run alongside, and Dr. Perkins made her fast with a line the man flung
+to him.
+
+"First let's have a look at the injured man," he said and, without
+further delay, Captain Zebedee Crooks, as he informed the travelers his
+name was, led them aft to a tiny cabin, stuffy, dark and reeking of
+fish. The boys followed Dr. Perkins into this wretched little den and
+Captain Zebedee lighted a sea lantern.
+
+Its rays showed them a heavily built man of middle age lying on a
+locker. His head was bandaged, and although he breathed he showed no
+other signs of life. Dr. Perkins, with the skill of a professional man,
+made a hasty examination.
+
+"This man is badly hurt," he said at length. "I am afraid his skull is
+fractured, but of that I cannot be certain. He should be ashore in a
+hospital."
+
+"Aye! I know that," rejoined Captain Zebedee, "but at the rate we are
+going now we won't get ashore till to-morrow night, and by that time
+poor Joe may be dead."
+
+"I think it extremely likely," replied Dr. Perkins, "but we must get him
+ashore at once."
+
+"What, in that sky schooner of yours?" Dr. Perkins nodded.
+
+"Yes, we must get him on deck without further loss of time. Then we'll
+rush him to a hospital."
+
+"The good Lord who sent you here bless you!" exclaimed the rugged old
+fisherman, affected almost to tears. "I never thought when I seen you
+away up thar in ther sky that you'd bother to notice the poor _Star of
+Gloucester_; but you did. You come down from the clouds like so many
+angels."
+
+"Funny-looking angels," remarked Frank to Harry, in an undertone. But
+Captain Zebedee's gratitude was so heartfelt and earnest that neither of
+the boys could find it in them to smile at his odd phrases.
+
+Captain Zebedee summoned some of his crew from the deck and as tenderly
+as possible the injured man was conveyed from the cabin. This done, he
+was lowered into the _Sea Eagle_ and laid on a pile of blankets already
+prepared for his reception.
+
+"Better make for Bayhaven," counseled Captain Zebedee; "there's a good
+hospital there, and it lies right on the coast about in a straight line
+from here."
+
+Dr. Perkins nodded, and then, having seen that the injured man was in a
+position to endure the ride comfortably, the flight to the shore was
+begun; but not till a substantial amount of provisions and some fresh
+water had been supplied to the fishing smack. As the _Sea Eagle_ took to
+the air the _Star of Gloucester_ was set before the wind, and staggered
+off on her slow course once more. The last the boys saw of the clumsy
+fisherman, the stout figure of Captain Zebedee was leaning on the stern
+bulwarks waving to them as they winged shoreward.
+
+The coast was a rocky one, with gaunt cliffs and few habitations. But as
+they reached it and flew low above a small house on the summit of the
+cliffs, they spied a man at work in a small garden. Of him Frank
+inquired the way to Bayhaven. The man was too much astonished to answer
+at first, and stood looking stupidly up at the winged monster above him.
+
+But finally he collected his wits and pointed to the south. The _Sea
+Eagle_ was thereupon headed round, and, not long after, her passengers
+came in sight of a tiny town huddled in a cove almost at the water's
+edge. Heading out seaward once more, Dr. Perkins dropped to the water in
+the harbor, and then at reduced speed ran the _Sea Eagle_ up to the long
+wharf which jutted out at the foot of the little city's main street.
+
+By the time they arrived alongside of the jetty half the population of
+the town was on hand to greet them. Their approach through the air had
+been seen when they were still some distance off, and as the _Sea Eagle_
+was the first air ship ever seen in Bayhaven it may be imagined what a
+sensation Dr. Perkins' craft created.
+
+But all eager questioners were waved aside while Dr. Perkins and his
+young friends called for volunteers to help lift the injured man out of
+the _Sea Eagle_. A dozen willing hands responded, and before long the
+mate of the _Star of Gloucester_ was on his way to the hospital in a
+wagon which had been hastily converted into an ambulance. It may be said
+here that, thanks to the prompt manner in which aid had been secured for
+him, the man recovered after a long illness, and was able to resume his
+work on Captain Zebedee's ship, where he never tires of telling of how
+he was saved by an aerial ambulance.
+
+Dr. Perkins accompanied his patient to the hospital, where he saw him
+comfortably settled. In the meantime Frank and Harry had been left on
+guard with the _Sea Eagle_, for the crowd had grown so large, and so
+curious, that it would not have been wise to have left the ship to the
+mercies of the inquisitive. The boys answered a perfect hailstorm of
+questions as good-naturedly as possible, but once or twice they had to
+use physical means to keep the younger element of the population of
+Bayhaven off the decks.
+
+By the time Dr. Perkins returned they were heartily tired of their job,
+and hailed his proposal that they should go up to town and purchase a
+fresh supply of provisions, with much delight. Leaving Dr. Perkins to
+cope with the throng, the two boys, arm in arm, made their way through
+the press and set off for the main street, which sloped up from the
+wharf. One or two of the crowd followed them, gaping curiously at the
+youthful aerial voyagers. But the boys were too used to the curiosity of
+crowds to mind this, and before long their followers dropped back to
+gape at the great flying machine.
+
+They found the town a small, uninteresting place. There were several
+shops, a hotel, with the usual group of loungers hanging about the
+porch, and further back a canning factory, which gave employment, in one
+way or another, to most of the inhabitants of Bayhaven. Beyond the hotel
+was a big "general store." Entering it, the boys made a variety of
+purchases, and arranged that the goods should be shipped to the _Sea
+Eagle_ as soon as possible.
+
+They were just leaving the place when out of the dusk--for by this time
+it was getting late--there came a figure that caused both boys to come to
+a dead stop in petrified astonishment. As for the man who had caused
+their sudden stoppage he, for his part, appeared to be nonplussed for a
+second. But the next moment he turned and fairly ran out of the store.
+
+"After him!" cried Frank; "it's that rascal Duval!"
+
+"That's what!" cried Harry, no less excited.
+
+Both boys, to the utter amazement of the storekeeper, who thought they
+had gone suddenly crazy, dashed out of the door of the emporium, and
+taking the steps outside in one jump they made off in the direction in
+which Duval, for there was no doubt it was he, had vanished. But as ill
+luck would have it, the cannery whistle had just blown for the cessation
+of the day's work, and round the corner there streamed a big crowd of
+the employees.
+
+It took the boys some time to work their way through the throng, for
+some of the men were inclined to tease them by stepping in their way and
+otherwise annoying them so that by the time they got through the crowd
+all hope of catching, or even sighting, Duval was gone.
+
+Greatly disappointed, and almost as much mystified by their sudden
+encounter with the rascally Frenchman, the boys decided to turn back and
+go down to the _Sea Eagle_. On their way they discussed Duval's sudden
+reappearance with interest.
+
+"What can he be doing here?" wondered Harry.
+
+"Blessed if I know," was the rejoinder, "but I'll bet he's up to some
+mischief or other. My! How he ran when he saw us."
+
+"He had good reason to," declared Harry; "I guess we'd have had him
+arrested if we'd ever caught him."
+
+"Not much doubt of that," declared Frank; "we could have charged him
+with the theft of that boat, anyhow, and that would have held him in the
+custody of the authorities till we could have obtained further
+evidence."
+
+"Well, I don't imagine we'll see him again," decided Harry, as they
+turned into the Main Street.
+
+"No such luck," declared Frank.
+
+But, after all, the boys were to see Duval again, and sooner than they
+expected, too.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.--PLUMBO FOUND WANTING.
+
+
+They were still talking in this vein when they reached the wharf. The
+crowd had, by this time, thinned out somewhat, and they made their way
+to the _Sea Eagle_ without difficulty. They found Dr. Perkins talking
+with a most peculiar looking individual. He was long and lanky as a bean
+pole, and his thatch of bright red hair was crowned by a hat that a
+scarecrow might have disowned.
+
+"Wonder who our new-found friend can be?" laughed Harry, as they
+clambered down a rough ladder to _the Sea Eagle's_ deck.
+
+They soon found out. Dr. Perkins, it appeared, had decided to spend the
+night at Bayhaven, and had engaged quarters at the hotel which the boys
+had passed. The man with whom he was talking rejoiced in the name of
+Plumbo Boggs, and was a village character. However, he was honest,
+though not overmuch endowed with brains, and had been recommended to the
+inventor as a reliable man to leave in charge of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Immediately Dr. Perkins had introduced this strange character, Plumbo
+broke out into rhymed speech which was a peculiarity of his. Some odd
+twist in his brain made it impossible for him to express himself in
+prose.
+
+"I'm Plumbo Boggs of old Bayhaven; from harm your air ship I'll be
+savin'," quoth he, striking an attitude.
+
+"Do you always talk that way?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Yes; I'm a poet, though you didn't know it," was the response.
+
+"Well, I don't know that that will keep you from being a good watchman,"
+smiled Dr. Perkins.
+
+"I'll watch by day or I'll watch by night; you'll soon find that I'm all
+right," was the quick response, while Plumbo's blue, rather watery eyes,
+flashed feebly.
+
+"That's satisfactory. Mind, you are to let no one on board, under any
+pretext whatever."
+
+"Pretext is a word that I don't understand; but I'll keep them off
+though they come in a band," rejoined Plumbo.
+
+"How much will you do the job for?" asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Two dollars will be my price to stay here; pay it and then no trouble
+you'll fear."
+
+"I'll agree to that," said Dr. Perkins, "we are going uptown now. I'll
+have your supper sent down to you and you are to remain here till you
+are relieved by us early to-morrow."
+
+"I'll stay right here, watchful and steady; you'll find me here when to
+go you're ready," declared Plumbo.
+
+"And now that everything is well I guess we'll start for the hotel,"
+said Frank, and not until both Dr. Perkins and Harry burst into a roar
+of laughter did he realize that he had caught the rhyming "infection"
+from the poetical Plumbo.
+
+"Be sure and don't forget my supper; I like pork and beans and bread and
+butter," called Plumbo after them as they left the wharf, and he took up
+his vigil.
+
+"An eccentric sort of character, but I guess he'll take good care of the
+_Sea Eagle_ while we're gone," said Dr. Perkins.
+
+It was on the tip of Frank's tongue to tell about their encounter with
+Duval; but the next instant he decided not to speak of it. Dr. Perkins
+had several important matters on his mind, and after all, the boy
+argued, Duval could not do them any harm now. After supper the editor of
+the local paper called round at the hotel to elicit from the aerial
+voyagers the story of their trip as far as it had gone. He was also
+correspondent for the Associated Press, he informed them. Dr. Perkins
+granted him a careful interview, in which he described part of their
+adventures, but was cautious not to reveal any of the details of the
+_Sea Eagle's_ construction. Shortly after the newspaperman had taken his
+departure the party retired, having left an early call for the morning,
+for it had been determined to get under way as soon as possible the next
+day.
+
+Bayhaven retired early to its rest, and the streets were deserted when,
+soon after midnight, three men walked down the main street, taking care
+to keep in the shadows of the buildings as they proceeded. One of the
+men was Duval, and the others were the Daniels, father and son. Their
+presence in Bayhaven is soon explained.
+
+As we know, the elder Daniels had offered to get money to finance the
+trip to the Black Bayou, and it was from relatives in Bayhaven that he
+calculated on getting it. The trio had arrived in the town the day
+before, and Daniels had promptly obtained the money as a loan, he having
+represented that the treasure was undoubtedly to be found in the
+long-forgotten wreck.
+
+They had been on the streets the day before when the approach of the
+_Sea Eagle_ was announced, and Duval instantly guessed that the oncoming
+air ship was the same that had rescued him and his employers from the
+illfated _Wanderer_. Neither the Daniels nor Duval himself knew anything
+of the destination of the _Sea Eagle_, nor did they guess for an instant
+that Harry Chester carried with him an exact duplicate of Duval's stolen
+plan. But their evil natures prompted them to do all the harm they could
+to the party, and it was with this end in view that they were making
+their way down the badly lighted and deserted streets of Bayhaven at
+such an hour. Duval's dislike of the boys had been roused to fever heat
+by their chase of him in the afternoon, and he was burning to do them
+some injury. From one of the elder Daniels' relatives the rascals had
+learned that Dr. Perkins and his two young friends were registered at
+the hotel, leaving the _Sea Eagle_ in charge of Plumbo. At once they had
+decided to visit the air ship and see what harm they could do it.
+
+Stealthily they advanced toward the wharf, revolving in their minds as
+they went what they would do when they got there.
+
+"We'll have to get that half-witted chap out of the way," declared
+Duval, in a low tone, "or he may make an outcry and arouse the whole
+place."
+
+"Leave that to me," Daniels assured him; "we'll fix him up all right."
+
+"You don't mean to hurt him? I don't want to get mixed up in anything
+like that," whimpered Duval, who was somewhat of a coward, as we know.
+
+Daniels actually chuckled.
+
+"Waal, you are a chicken-hearted fool," he muttered, "but don't you be
+scared. There won't be no necessity of hurtin' this Plumbo. I can
+recollect him from a time when I was here years ago. He's soft-headed
+and talks poetry. Them two things most allers goes together I've found."
+
+Nothing more was said till they reached the wharf. It was dark and
+deserted, but in the starlight the dim outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ could
+be seen as she lay at her moorings.
+
+"I'll bet a cruller that chap's asleep," whispered Zeb, as they crept
+forward cautiously.
+
+"Hope so. It'll make our work a lot the easier," chuckled his worthy
+father.
+
+But the next moment they had undeniable proof that the watchman was not
+slumbering. From amidst the ghostly outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ came
+Plumbo's voice.
+
+"Who's there so late? Answer up, mate."
+
+"Is that you, Plumbo?" said the elder Daniels.
+
+"Yes, this is me, as you can see."
+
+"How are we goin' ter see you when it's so confounded dark?" growled
+Daniels.
+
+"Well, what do you wish? To bathe or fish?" inquired Plumbo, ignoring
+this remark. Then he continued:
+
+"You'd better skip. You'll not board this ship."
+
+"That's just what we came here to do," replied Daniels, in an unruffled
+tone; "your mother is very ill and we come down to take charge of the
+air ship while you go home as quick as possible."
+
+Now poor Plumbo's love for his widowed mother was a matter of common
+talk in the village, and the cunning of the elder Daniels had suggested
+this scheme to him as they came along. It worked even better than he had
+dared to expect. The rhyming watchman gave a gasp of pained
+astonishment.
+
+"I must go home; though I ought not to roam," he said.
+
+"Make your mind easy about that, lad," Daniels assured him; "we'll watch
+this cloud clipper while you're gone. Dr. Perkins told us to stay here
+while you are gone."
+
+"I'll go home in a hurry; be back in a scurry," declared Plumbo, who was
+completely taken in. His none too acute brain had been easily imposed
+upon by Daniels' rascally trick. He scrambled up on the wharf and at
+once set off on a run for his home, crying as he went:
+
+"Watch every crack till I can get back."
+
+"Oh, go to the dickens while we get our pickin's," growled out young Zeb
+Daniels, at which specimen of wit his father laughed heartily, though in
+a subdued way.
+
+"Now, then, boys," said Daniels, as Plumbo's footsteps died away, "get
+busy and spile this cruise for that bunch of fine gentlemen. We'll show
+'em what it means to try to take folks' livings away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.--FRANK'S BATTLE.
+
+
+It was about midnight that Frank, for no reason that he could explain,
+awakened with a vague feeling of uneasiness. Try as he would he could
+not compose himself to sleep again, but lay awake, struggling with a
+sort of intuitive suspicion that all was not well with the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+At last, so strong did his conviction become, that, although he was
+ridiculing his fears all the time, he arose and dressed himself, and
+then started out for the wharf. For a moment he thought he would rouse
+Harry, who slept on another bed in the same room; but in the end he
+decided not to disturb his brother's repose. Perhaps he had a vague fear
+of ridicule, but at any rate Frank crept out of the hotel alone and made
+his way silently down the dark and empty streets.
+
+"This is certainly a fool's errand I'm going on," he told himself; "I
+suppose that my reward for my pains will be to hear some more of
+Plumbo's poetry, and yet--and yet, I can't help it. I couldn't sleep
+another wink unless I was sure that the _Sea Eagle_ was all right."
+
+Musing thus, and minimizing his own fears, Frank came in due time to the
+wharf. He made his way down it and was about to step forward to descend
+the ladder that led to the _Sea Eagle's_ deck, when he heard something
+that made him pause. He recognized the sound instantly.
+
+It was the rasp of a file!
+
+"My gracious! Somebody _is_ tampering with the _Sea Eagle_!" exclaimed
+the boy to himself. "My fears were not as groundless as I thought them,
+after all. I wonder if that rascal Duval----"
+
+The current of his thoughts was suddenly checked at this point by
+another noise near at hand. It seemed to come from behind a big pile of
+boxes on the wharf.
+
+"Goodness! What's that?" thought Frank, and then for the first time it
+flashed across him that if more than one man was engaged in the
+nefarious work that he was sure was going on, he was at a serious
+disadvantage. He had no weapons but his hands, whereas the others were
+undoubtedly well armed.
+
+"I'll slip back uptown as quickly as I can and arouse the authorities,"
+he decided, "if they are quick we can catch the rascals red-handed. I
+wonder what can have become of that fellow Jumbo or whatever his name
+was? I suppose he went to sleep or something. Well, it serves us right
+for leaving such an eccentric fellow on guard."
+
+Frank, who had been crouching in the shadow of the very boxes behind
+which he had heard the suspicious sounds, rose quickly to his feet. He
+was just slipping off, congratulating himself that he had been
+unobserved when from behind the boxes a dark figure suddenly emerged.
+
+"Hands up, Frank Chester," it exclaimed; "we've got you where we want
+you this time."
+
+"Zeb Daniels!" exclaimed Frank, dumbfounded with astonishment. He had
+not supposed the rascally young fisherman within miles of the place.
+
+"Yes; that's me. Don't move a step or you'll get hurt."
+
+But Frank's indignation overcame his prudence.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he demanded angrily.
+
+"None of your business."
+
+"It isn't, eh? Well I know that you are damaging Dr. Perkins' boat in
+some way and----"
+
+Frank stepped deftly aside as Zeb, who was a far heavier, stronger boy
+than the young aviator, made a tigerish jump at him, at the same time
+brandishing a thick club threateningly.
+
+But Zeb's sudden rush proved his undoing. Before he could recover his
+balance Frank had planted a clean, hard punch on the young ruffian's
+jaw, and Zeb reeled back dizzily. He recovered himself almost instantly,
+however, and without making a sound hurled himself at Frank once more.
+In a rough and tumble fight the sturdily built fisher boy might have
+been a match for Frank Chester, but Frank had already gained some
+advantage and he met Zeb's frenzied charge coolly.
+
+Zeb, as he got within reach, let loose a tremendous swing which, if it
+had struck Frank's head as his burly young opponent intended, might have
+laid him flat. But to his astonishment Zeb's fist met only empty air.
+Frank had ducked the blow with consummate ease, and the next instant:
+
+One! Two!--Crack! Smack! Two well-planted blows landed on Zeb's face and
+body. Frank was rushing in to complete his victory when he was suddenly
+seized from behind in a powerful grip and hurled to the ground with
+great violence.
+
+Zeb's father, on board the _Sea Eagle_, had heard the disturbance, and
+had swiftly and silently climbed the ladder leading up on to the wharf.
+Behind him, but at a prudent distance, came Duval. The Frenchman had no
+love for fighting, unless the odds were all in his favor, and he was by
+no means certain how many men might have attacked them.
+
+The elder Daniels took in the situation in a flash, and pinioned Frank's
+arms, just as the latter was about to put an end to the battle. Duval
+saw instantly that there was no personal danger to himself, and while
+the elder Daniels held a grimy, leathery paw over Frank's mouth to
+prevent his shouting for aid, Duval pinioned the lad's lower limbs.
+Helpless as a baby Frank lay there on his back, completely at the mercy
+of three individuals whom he had no reason to suppose would handle him
+gently.
+
+While he still lay there a helpless captive, young Daniels came up, and
+doubling up his fist deliberately struck the helpless boy in the face.
+But the elder of the Daniels angrily checked him.
+
+"Stow that," he muttered roughly. "What's the matter with you?"
+
+"I wanted to get even with him," whined Zeb; "he licked me and----"
+
+"Waal, git even some other way. Bring me that rope off them pile of
+boxes while I make him fast."
+
+Zeb said no more, but obediently fetched the rope, and before many
+minutes had passed Frank was bound hand and foot. Moreover, a gag,
+consisting of a dirty fragment torn from the elder Daniels' shirt, was
+thrust into his mouth.
+
+"What'll we do with him now?" demanded Zeb, when this had been done.
+
+"Humph, I hadn't thought of that," rejoined the elder fisherman; "we
+can't leave him here, for we don't want any one to find him when they
+come down, as they are bound to do afore long when that idiot Plumbo
+finds out that we've fooled him. What _will_ we do with the young game
+cock?"
+
+"I'd like to chuck him overboard," quoth Zeb amiably, staunching his
+bleeding nose with a dirty coat sleeve.
+
+"Don't waste time talking rubbish," angrily rejoined his parent; "see
+here, Duval, kain't you think of something?"
+
+"Yes, I can," was the eager reply; "it's just occurred to me. Ho! ho! I
+guess that'll keep him quiet for a while."
+
+"Well, what do you propose to do?" growled Daniels. "Don't stand there
+like an owl. Out with it."
+
+"Well, my friend, you see those big barrels over there?"
+
+"Yes, what about them?"
+
+"We'll put him in one of those and give him a sea trip."
+
+"By Jeehosophat, but that's a notion! I reckon by the time he's picked
+up, or drifts ashore, he'll be sorry he interfered with us."
+
+"That's a great scheme," chuckled Zeb, equally delighted. "That's what I
+call getting even in good shape."
+
+"Hold on a minute; how's the tide?" murmured Daniels. "We don't want him
+to be picked up too quick."
+
+"The tide's running out, pop," said Zeb, after a minute; "I tell you,
+though, what's the matter with putting the barrel in that dory there and
+then loading him in it? We can row out a ways and then dump him
+overside."
+
+"That's the best idea yet," warmly approved his worthy parent; "come on,
+boys, tumble the barrel into that dory. Lively, now!"
+
+The barrel, quite a big one, which had been used for salting down fish
+and was quite watertight, was lowered into the dory that Zeb's sharp
+eyes had spied with some difficulty.
+
+Frank had watched the movements of his captors as well as he could in
+the darkness; but he was quite unable to guess what all this meant,
+which, perhaps, was just as well. As the conversation had been carried
+on in whispers, he had not overheard a syllable of the rascally plan to
+set him adrift out of pure malice.
+
+Still bound and gagged, he was lowered into the dory, unable to call out
+or move, despite the now serious alarm he felt. What could the men be
+going to do with him, he wondered, and was still busy speculating on his
+probable fate when Zeb and his father cast off the dory and, with rapid
+strokes, began to row toward the mouth of the harbor on which Bayhaven
+is situated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.--A RASCALLY TRICK.
+
+
+While all this had been occurring on the wharf Plumbo Boggs had
+discovered the deception that had been practiced on him, and was
+hastening as fast as he could to the hotel. Even he, whose mind could
+not be called quick acting, realized that he was the victim of a trick,
+the object of which was, in all probability, to injure the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+Arousing the night clerk, Plumbo begged to be directed to Dr. Perkins'
+room. The night clerk knew the eccentric character, and lost no time in
+escorting him to the doctor's quarters. Plumbo thundered on the door
+with noise sufficient to arouse the other guests.
+
+"What is it? What's happened?" shouted Dr. Perkins, thinking for an
+instant that the place must be on fire at least.
+
+"Oh, doctor, come quick! They've played us a trick!" yelled Plumbo.
+
+"Who? Where? What do you mean?" exclaimed Dr. Perkins, coming to the
+door.
+
+"Two men and a lad; they've fooled me bad."
+
+"Do you mean that they persuaded you to leave the _Sea Eagle_ alone and
+unguarded?"
+
+"They told me a story to get me from there; or I'd have given your air
+ship the best of good care," pleaded Plumbo, seriously alarmed at the
+angry look that had come over the doctor's face. "Don't be angry with
+me, I pray; if they hurt it I'll ask you no pay."
+
+"As if that would help," cried Dr. Perkins angrily; "wait there till I
+get some clothes on."
+
+He retreated into the room and as he hastily donned some garments he
+wondered who the men could be who had induced the soft-witted poet to
+leave his position of trust.
+
+"For the life of me I can't imagine who they can be," he was thinking,
+while he hurriedly laced his shoes, when the door opened and in walked
+Harry fully dressed.
+
+"I heard the noise in the corridor, and heard Plumbo telling you that
+something had happened to the _Sea Eagle_," he said excitedly.
+
+"I don't know that anything has happened yet," cried Dr. Perkins
+anxiously; "I'm hoping not. But from what I can gather from Plumbo's
+foolish talk three men induced him, on some pretext, to leave the ship
+unguarded. I must say it looks suspicious. But I cannot think who there
+is in this place where we are unknown who would want to harm us."
+
+The thought of Duval flashed across Harry's mind. He and Frank had
+decided not to tell Dr. Perkins about their encounter lest it should
+worry him; but surely the time to tell about it had come now.
+
+"We ought to have told you," he said, rather falteringly, "but we did
+not want to cause you undue anxiety,--we saw Duval this afternoon."
+
+"What!"
+
+Dr. Perkins almost shouted the question, or rather exclamation, in a
+thunderstruck tone.
+
+"Yes. We tried to catch him, but he escaped us. Frank can tell you all
+about it. By the way, where is Frank?"
+
+"Isn't he in your room?"
+
+"No; when I was awakened by the noise in the passage I saw that his bed
+was empty. I supposed that he had got out of bed ahead of me and had
+come in here."
+
+"I haven't seen him since we retired."
+
+"Then where can he be?"
+
+The inventor and the boy aviator stared at each other for an instant.
+
+"Good gracious, this looks serious, indeed," exclaimed Dr. Perkins; "not
+in his room, and not in the hotel, apparently. Where can he have gone
+to?"
+
+"That's what's worrying me," cried Harry, in a rather quavering tone;
+"I'm sure, perfectly sure, that that rascal Duval knows something about
+him wherever he is. Maybe he heard some word of a plot to injure the
+_Sea Eagle_ and has gone down to see if he can frustrate it. Duval----"
+
+"Yes; but Duval, if it is he, is not alone in this thing. Plumbo says
+there were two men and a lad."
+
+"Two men and a lad," cried Harry joyously, "then the lad must have been
+Frank."
+
+"But who could the others have been? They all came together and sent our
+watchman away."
+
+"It's all a deep mystery, doctor. I think our best plan is to make all
+the speed we can to the wharf. Perhaps we can find some solution there."
+
+"Yes; let us do so at once. I am all ready, are you?"
+
+"Yes; I hurried to get dressed as soon as I heard the noise in the
+corridor."
+
+Plumbo was waiting, and as they hastened down the street he explained in
+his odd rhyming speech just what had happened. He could not describe the
+men except to say that one had whiskers on his chin. In a part of the
+country where this is a favorite facial adornment this information was
+not much of a clew.
+
+It took the alarmed party much less time to reach the wharf than they
+would have thought was possible. In fact, almost the whole distance was
+traversed at a run. But when they arrived at the wharf and a lantern,
+which Dr. Perkins had had the foresight to bring along, had been
+kindled, they found nothing to inform them as to what had taken place.
+The doctor had not expected to find Plumbo's three men there, but he had
+had an idea that he would find something damaged about the _Sea Eagle_.
+But as careful an examination as it was possible to make by lamplight
+failed to reveal any trace of damage.
+
+Naturally this, instead of helping to clear the mystery, only deepened
+it. What object could the men have had who had sent Plumbo off on his
+wild goose chase if it had not been to wreak injury to the _Sea Eagle_?
+
+"Maybe they were some inventors who wanted to steal your ideas,"
+suggested Harry, recalling some experiences of their own with
+unscrupulous aviators.
+
+But Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+"Every important feature of the _Sea Eagle_ is fully covered by
+patents," he said; "there isn't a single idea they could appropriate in
+the short time they could have spent here anyhow."
+
+Harry had to admit that this was so, but to tell the truth his thoughts
+were centered more on Frank and on the strange circumstances surrounding
+his disappearance than they were on the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+"I'm as certain as that daylight will come again that Frank fits into
+this mix-up somewhere," he said, voicing his thoughts, "but the question
+is where?"
+
+"Well, he's not here now, that's certain," declared Dr. Perkins. "I
+propose that we should return to the hotel now that we have discovered
+that no damage has been done. He may meet us there."
+
+"Let's search the wharf first," said Harry, but, naturally, even their
+painstaking search failed to reveal any trace of Frank's fate till, all
+at once, Harry, who was carrying the lantern, came upon his brother's
+cap lying where it had fallen in the scuffle among the boxes.
+
+The bit of headgear had been kicked close to the string-piece of the
+wharf, and a fearful fear that made Harry's head swim shot into his
+mind. Could Frank have come down to the wharf, suspecting mischief was
+on foot, and have either fallen or been thrown into the water?
+
+"Look--look here, sir," he exclaimed in a shaking voice, as Dr. Perkins
+asked him what was the matter.
+
+"What is it?" asked the doctor, coming forward. "A clew?"
+
+"Yes; it's--it's Frank's cap, doctor. Pray heaven no harm has befallen
+him."
+
+"If it has, swift vengeance is going to overtake somebody," declared Dr.
+Perkins, clenching his hands; "where did you find the cap?"
+
+"Close to the string-piece. You--you don't think he could have fallen
+over?"
+
+"Nonsense," declared Dr. Perkins with a confidence he was far from
+feeling; "we'll get him back again safe and sound, never fear."
+
+But Harry's heart sank as he fingered his brother's cap.
+
+"I'm trying to think so, too, sir," he said miserably; "but--but----"
+
+He paused abruptly, for he could not have gone further without breaking
+down. Harry had gone through some anxious moments in his life, but never
+had his heart sunk so low as it did that night on the Bayhaven wharf.
+
+In the meantime, let us see how it was faring with the boy whose
+disappearance had caused such cruel fears--fears which even the vengeful
+tempers of Daniels and his son would have been satisfied with. We left
+Frank gagged and bound on the bottom of the dory, while Zeb and his
+father were pulling with strong, swift strokes for the open water.
+
+The dory shot swiftly and silently seaward, with Frank completely in the
+dark as to what was to be his fate. It occurred to him, though, that
+perhaps they meant to maroon him on some island. This thought did not
+give him so much anxiety as might have been expected, for he knew that
+the waters about Bayhaven were fairly populous with boats, and did not
+suppose that his captors meant to keep him a prisoner any longer time
+than would be necessary for them to take their departure from that part
+of the coast before the authorities could be notified.
+
+Imagine, then, his thrill of surprise when the boat suddenly stopped and
+the barrel, into which some big stones had been thrown to keep it
+upright in the water, was lowered from the dory. This done, Frank was
+lifted by main force and placed in it.
+
+A brutal laugh broke from Zeb and his father as they shoved the barrel
+containing its helpless captive away from the side of the dory. Duval
+said nothing, but his white teeth showed in a grin in the starlight.
+Frank, gagged as he was, could not utter a word or move a limb. He could
+only realize, with dumb agony, the terrible nature of his fate.
+
+Still laughing, the brutal rascals who had conceived the idea of setting
+him adrift, rowed off at a quick rate, leaving the barrel and its
+helpless occupant bobbing up and down on the swells of the starlit sea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.--REUNITED!
+
+
+Frank's heart sank as he cast a look about him and perceived the
+helplessness of his position.
+
+"If I could only get this gag off and shout for help," he thought,
+"maybe somebody would hear me."
+
+But there seemed to be no means of compassing this end, try as he would
+to think of some way. All at once, as the stars were beginning to fade
+and a faint flush of gray appeared in the east, he perceived a nail
+sticking up on the rim of the barrel. This gave him an idea. By bending
+slightly he would be able to bring the edge of the gag against the sharp
+pointed bit of metal, and possibly tear it out. At any rate, it was
+worth trying, and Frank at once proceeded to put his plan into action.
+
+It was a hard job to bend low enough to bring his mouth on a level with
+the nail, but fortunately the barrel was a large one, and consequently
+he had not so very far to stoop. By making a desperate effort he
+succeeded at last in dragging the gag across the nail. In doing this he
+scratched his chin, but he did not mind that, for the nail caught and
+held the rag, tearing it out of his mouth as he moved his head.
+
+"Hurray!" breathed Frank, inhaling a great lungful of fresh air. "Now I
+can at least make a racket, and maybe that will bring some one."
+
+With all his might he began shouting for help. In the still morning air
+his voice carried clearly across the water, and to the lad's huge
+delight it was not long before he perceived, coming toward him a small
+fishing boat, which, from the "chugging" sound it made, was evidently
+furnished with a gasolene engine.
+
+But the question that now agitated the boy was, "Would they see him or
+hear his voice above the loud noise of the motor?" If they did not,
+Frank realized that his plight would pass from a serious to a desperate
+state, for the barrel was, by this time, caught in a current which was
+rapidly increasing the distance between himself and the shore.
+
+To his intense relief, however, he saw the fishing boat suddenly change
+her course, and before long she was close enough for him to read the
+name "_Two Sisters_" on her broad, bluff bow.
+
+"Waal, by the tarnal!" came a gruff voice, "who and what are yer out
+here in a ba'rl?"
+
+The speaker, a burly-looking fellow, with a rough but kindly
+countenance, regarded Frank's face, which was all that was visible of
+him, with the most intense astonishment, as well he might. In a long
+experience off shore, covering all sorts of adventures, Captain Elihu
+Carney of the _Two Sisters_ had never before beheld a floating barrel
+with a human head projecting from it.
+
+"It's a kid--a boy!" shouted one of his mates from the stern of the _Two
+Sisters_, where he held the tiller.
+
+"Crack-e-e! so it air. Hey, kid, what yer doin' out here? Takin' a
+cruise, or is this one of them new-fangled health cures?"
+
+"It's neither, I assure you," cried Frank; "get me out of this and I'll
+tell you all about it."
+
+"I'll run alongside and you can climb out."
+
+"No, I can't," returned Frank; "I'm bound hand and foot."
+
+"What! Say, you be'ant one of them movin' picter fellers makin' a fillum
+be yer?"
+
+Captain Carney's rugged face held a look full of suspicion. Once not
+long before his boat had been boarded by a beauteous maiden, apparently
+fleeing from a band of desperadoes. The gallant captain had fished her
+out of the dory in which she was rowing from her pursuers and had
+threatened the apparent rascals with all sorts of dire things. Then to
+his chagrin a voice had hailed him:
+
+"Hey, you old mossback! You've spoiled a grind!"
+
+A "grind" being moving picture language for a film.
+
+"I certainly am not," returned Frank indignantly; "no moving pictures
+about this, I can tell you. This is the real thing."
+
+"Waal, as I don't see no camera about I reckon it's all right. Put her
+head round, Eph, and we'll pick him up, but 'once bitten twice shy,' you
+know."
+
+Eph, the helmsman, brought the bow of the _Two Sisters_ round and slowed
+up the engine. A minute later the fishing boat's side was scraping the
+barrel, and Captain Carney's muscular arms lifted Frank out of his
+floating prison as if he had been an infant.
+
+"Waal, I'll be double decked consarned!" he roared, as he saw the ropes
+that confined the boy's limbs. "Who done this?"
+
+"Some rascals who had good cause to wish me harm," said Frank. "I
+suppose they thought they could get rid of me while they made their
+escape."
+
+"What's the world comin' to?" cried the rugged skipper, throwing up his
+hands.
+
+He reached into his belt for a tarry sailor's knife and cut Frank loose
+in a few strokes of the keen blade. But the boy was so stiff from loss
+of circulation that it was some time before he recovered the use of his
+limbs. The _Two Sisters_, it turned out, was headed for Bayhaven, to
+which port she belonged, but so far had Frank drifted in his--or rather
+somebody else's barrel--that he was able to tell his whole story before
+the wharf was reached.
+
+As they neared it the skipper ordered Eph to blow the compressed air
+whistle so as to apprise every one ashore that something unusual was
+happening. Among the crowd that hastened to the wharf in response to the
+frenzied tooting Frank recognized Dr. Perkins and Harry. As they drew
+close he saw how white and strained their faces were, and realized what
+anxiety they must have been through on his account. He shouted loudly,
+and at the sound of his voice both Harry and the staid inventor set up a
+series of cheers that drowned the tooting of the whistle. As for Plumbo
+Boggs, who was also on the wharf, he burst into rhyme at once.
+
+"Home again! home again from the stormy sea; now that your chum is found
+all right, don't blame me!"
+
+So saying he capered about, snapping his fingers and performing a dozen
+odd antics while the _Two Sisters_ was making fast. Without waiting for
+Frank, who was still stiff and sore, to come up on the wharf, Harry and
+Dr. Perkins jumped to the deck of the _Two Sisters_, and the former
+fairly threw his arms about his brother's neck.
+
+"If you only knew how glad I am you have come back," he exclaimed.
+
+"What ever happened to you?" demanded Dr. Perkins.
+
+"It's a long story," said Frank, "and I'm famished. Suppose we ask
+Captain Carney and Eph to breakfast with us and while we are eating I'll
+tell you all about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.--OFF ONCE MORE.
+
+
+AS our readers are fully acquainted with Frank's adventure it would only
+tedious to relate all that took place at the breakfast. It may be said,
+however, that both Captain Carney and his mate received a substantial
+recognition of their services, from Dr. Perkins, in the form of a check.
+At first the bluff fishermen were by no means willing to take pay for
+what they had done, but were finally prevailed upon to accept the
+present, which, as Captain Carney owned, "would come in mighty handy."
+
+After the conclusion of the meal all hands adjourned to the wharf, and a
+thorough examination was made once more of the _Sea Eagle_, with the
+object of detecting any damage which the Daniels and Duval might have
+done her, and which might have been overlooked in the lamplight
+investigation made by Dr. Perkins and Harry. A bright spot was found on
+one of the metal braces. Undeniably it had been done by the teeth of a
+file, but it was only a superficial damage, which did not affect the
+strength of the _Sea Eagle_ in any way.
+
+"I guess Frank scared them away before they had time to do any more
+harm," was Dr. Perkins' conclusion; but later on he was to have a
+different opinion.
+
+As things were at present, however, Dr. Perkins felt no hesitation in
+declaring the _Sea Eagle_ fit to resume her voyage without further
+delay. The fresh provisions being on board, and there being nothing to
+prevent an immediate start, the voyagers at once made ready for a
+continuance of the trip which, so far, had proved so packed with
+adventure.
+
+The gasolene tank was refilled, and the emergency receptacles for the
+liquid fuel seen to. Plumbo Boggs was paid and instructions left to
+telegraph Dr. Perkins in New Orleans in case any trace was found of the
+miscreants, who undoubtedly had intended to injure the _Sea Eagle_, and
+who had played such a dastardly trick on Frank.
+
+"You'll fly from the sea far up to the sky; good-by! good-by! good-by!
+good-by!" cried Plumbo Boggs as the ropes that held the _Sea Eagle_ to
+the wharf were cast off and, amidst a loud cheer from the crowd, the
+engine was started.
+
+It was a fine summer morning with a glassy sea and a sky that was
+cloudless, except in the east, where a great mass of castellated white
+clouds were piled up.
+
+"You'd best hug the shore," were Captain Carney's parting words of
+advice. "To my mind we'll have a storm of some sort before the day's
+out."
+
+But in the noise and excitement of the departure his words were unheard
+and the _Sea Eagle_ started off down the coast with the warning
+unheeded. Dr. Perkins ran the craft over the water till the mouth of the
+harbor was reached, easily outdistancing some fast launches that tried
+to keep up with them. When they got "outside," the _Sea Eagle_ was
+driven ahead at top speed, and with her rising planes set at a sharp
+angle she was driven upward till a height of some five hundred and fifty
+feet had been obtained. Her course was due south.
+
+They were flying over a small island not far from the shore when Frank,
+who was looking over the side, noticed a dory ashore on the beach. He
+had hardly noticed this before three figures came running down to the
+beach and pointed upward. One of them jerked a rifle up to his shoulder,
+and a minute later a puff of smoke came from the barrel. Simultaneously
+a bullet sang through the rigging of the _Sea Eagle_, boring a small
+hole in one of the upper planes, but, fortunately, not striking any
+vital part of the craft or doing injury to her passengers.
+
+"That's those rascals now!" exclaimed Frank indignantly. "They must have
+rowed down to that island and are waiting there for a chance to get
+ashore quietly. Shall we go down and attack them?"
+
+Dr. Perkins shook his head.
+
+"Nothing much would be gained by it," he said, "and it would only delay
+our trip."
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was flying fast, and the rascals on the island, who, as
+Frank had rightly guessed, were the two Daniels and Duval, had no chance
+to try a second shot. At noon, after a steady flight all the morning,
+the voyagers found themselves off Martha's Vineyard. A hasty lunch was
+eaten in midair, with the _Sea Eagle_ still winging her way like a
+grayhound of the sky.
+
+The shore swam by below them like a panorama, but they only viewed it
+indistinctly, as the course was kept about five miles off shore. In the
+afternoon they saw, off to the right, a stretch of mammoth hotels and
+amusement resorts.
+
+"Atlantic City!" cried Frank. "I'll bet there are hundreds of glasses
+leveled at us from the boardwalk right now."
+
+"I guess so," rejoined Harry. "We must look funny way out here at sea."
+
+It was half an hour later that Frank's attention was attracted to the
+sky by the sudden blotting out of the sun, which had been shining
+brightly. He gave a cry of alarm as he looked upward. A vast bank of
+black clouds had come rolling up, like a sable curtain, blotting out the
+blue sky. The sea below was leaden and angry in hue, and its surface was
+flecked with white caps.
+
+"We're in for some bad weather, I'm afraid," declared Dr. Perkins, when
+Frank called his attention to it.
+
+Hardly had he spoken before, from the cloud bank, a red, jagged flash of
+lightning blazed. It was followed almost instantly by a sharp clap of
+thunder, and some heavy rain drops began to patter on the broad upper
+planes of the _Sea Eagle_.
+
+"I'll make for shore," declared Dr. Perkins; "we must be about off Cape
+May now. We can lie there in shelter till this blows itself out."
+
+"That will be the best idea," said Frank. "This is going to be a hummer.
+Wow! Look at that!"
+
+A flash of lightning, that seemed as if the whole curtain of clouds had
+been split from top to bottom, had caused his exclamation. So brilliant
+was the glare that it caused them all to blink involuntarily.
+
+"Put on full speed, Frank!" shouted Dr. Perkins above the deafening peal
+of thunder that followed.
+
+Frank needed no second bidding. He opened both gasolene and spark levers
+to their full capacity. Dr. Perkins had already headed the _Sea Eagle_
+for the distant low-lying shore. This caused the craft to plunge almost
+as much as if she were "bucking" into a heavy sea. For the wind was off
+shore, and the thunder storm, as such storms frequently do, was coming
+up against it.
+
+Suddenly, in the midst of the fight with the wind, Frank noticed an
+ominous sound from the motor. It gave a sort of spluttering, coughing
+exhaust and slowed down perceptibly.
+
+"What's wrong now?" he exclaimed anxiously. "Gracious, if the motor
+should go out of business now!"
+
+He did not say this aloud, but bent over the laboring machine to try and
+ascertain what was the matter with it.
+
+"More speed!" cried Dr. Perkins from the forward part of the air ship;
+"we can't fight this wind at this pace."
+
+"There's something the matter with the motor," shouted Frank above the
+now almost continuous rolling of the thunder. "I can't make out what----"
+
+A sudden loud report, like a pistol shot, came from the engine--a
+back-fire, as it is called--and the next instant the motor stopped dead.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was at that moment some 750 feet above the angry sea,
+with the storm raging about her furiously. Before Dr. Perkins could
+realize what had happened, the big craft began to drop downward with
+sickening velocity, while her occupants clung on to whatever was handy,
+with the desperate clutch of drowning men.
+
+Frank had just time to shout:
+
+"The life preservers! Quick, quick! for heaven's sake!"
+
+But there was no time to obey the order before the _Sea Eagle_ struck
+the waves, hurling spray and wind-driven foam in a great cloud all about
+her wings and substructure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.--A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
+
+
+The next moments were filled with anxiety. The sea was running high,
+and, although Dr. Perkins had brought his craft upon a level keel by
+skillful volplaning, before it struck the waves, the situation was
+extremely serious.
+
+The hydroplane portion of the _Sea Eagle_ was built lightly, and,
+although it was well strengthened with braces, the test was a severe
+one. Over the bow the crests of the waves broke constantly, showering
+the occupants with spray. The _Sea Eagle_ was tossed about helplessly, a
+plaything of the waves, while her adventurers strove to collect their
+thoughts and decide what was to be done.
+
+First they adopted Frank's suggestion and donned the life jackets, so
+that if the worst came to the worst they would have a fighting chance
+for their lives. When this had been done, Frank, who had had some
+experience in motor boats, supervised the rigging of a "spray-hood"
+across the bow. This kept some of the spray out, and, although it was
+formed of sheets of spare canvas intended to be used as waterproof night
+coverings, it answered its purpose well enough.
+
+"Do you think that there is a chance of our keeping afloat?" asked Harry
+when this had been done.
+
+"Well, we appear to be making out all right so far," rejoined Dr.
+Perkins; "the wing floats are working well, and if only we can get the
+engine going again we may be able to fly ashore yet."
+
+The wing floats referred to were nothing more nor less than the light
+cylindrical pontoons affixed to each lower wing tip. They acted
+precisely as "outriggers" would do in steadying the _Sea Eagle_. In
+fact, had it not been for this lateral support, the craft must have
+turned turtle under the terrific tossing she was receiving.
+
+"I'm going right to work on the engine," announced Frank.
+
+With Harry to help him, the lad proceeded to carry out this purpose. But
+it was the hardest bit of "trouble finding" he had ever done. The motion
+of the _Sea Eagle_, as she was tossed on a wave crest and then hurled
+into the abyss beyond, made it hard to hold on, let alone investigating
+the complicated mechanism of a motor. But as time wore on and they still
+kept afloat, they began to have hopes that they would at least stay on
+the surface till the engine could be started once more.
+
+One after another Frank made the different tests employed to ascertain
+the various troubles that may assail a gasolene motor. He tested the
+ignition, the spark, the gasolene supply and the bearings. Everything
+appeared to be all right, and he paused in a puzzled way before he went
+to work on the carburetor. That is a delicate piece of mechanism, even
+to an ingenious boy like Frank Chester; but he finally concluded that
+the trouble must lie there. His first task was to open the relief cock
+and drain the brass bowl of the mixing chamber.
+
+He turned the valve, and the mystery of the stoppage of the engine was
+instantly explained.
+
+Sand had been placed in the carburetor by persons whom Frank had little
+difficulty in mentally identifying.
+
+"So that was what those rascals did!" he cried aloud. "No wonder we
+couldn't find anything the trouble with the ship. They were too foxy for
+that, and could hardly have found a better way of injuring the _Sea
+Eagle_ than to do that."
+
+"Is there any way of fixing the damage?" asked Dr. Perkins, who, with
+Harry, had hastened to Frank's side as he cried out over his discovery.
+
+"Yes. Thank goodness, we've got a spare carburetor on board, for it
+would take a week to clean out this. If no sand has got into the
+cylinders I think I can promise to get things going again before very
+long."
+
+Out of the locker in which the spare parts were kept Frank produced
+another carburetor. But unscrewing the feed pipe and taking off the old
+mixing chamber and adjusting the new one were tedious tasks, especially
+under the circumstances in which Frank was compelled to work. But at
+last it was done, and with a beating heart Frank adjusted the
+self-starter. A few seconds now would decide their fate.
+
+Harry shivered in anticipation of failure as his brother, having got the
+engine going by the just mentioned appliance, turned on the gasolene and
+spark.
+
+For a breathless instant their fate hung in the balance, and then there
+came the welcome sound of the exhaust. Bit by bit Frank allowed the
+speed to increase, till the engine was running at its full capacity of
+revolutions. But the propellers were not turning, as before testing the
+motor he had thrown the clutch out of gear.
+
+"I think that we can try to rise now," he said calmly, after the motor
+had run without a miss or a skip for ten minutes or so.
+
+"I think so, too," said Dr. Perkins, "and I want to tell you, Frank,
+that you have done what I would not have believed possible under the
+conditions."
+
+Another anxious moment followed when the clutch was thrown in and the
+full load of the propellers came upon the engine. But not a hitch
+occurred. The large-bladed driving fans of the _Sea Eagle_ beat the air
+rapidly and surely, and the hydroplane-formed underbody began to glide
+over the tops of the waves, instead of rolling and pitching helplessly
+among them. To the westward, too, there showed a patch of lighter sky,
+heralding the passing of the storm.
+
+But, as if unwilling to allow them to escape without again bringing
+their hearts into their mouths, the storm had one more buffeting to give
+them. As full power was applied, and the _Sea Eagle_ rose above the
+tossing wave crests and headed slantingly skyward, there came a sudden
+puff of wind.
+
+Skillful as Dr. Perkins was, it caught him momentarily unprepared. In
+the wink of an eye the _Sea Eagle_ careened over, almost on her "beam
+ends." It seemed as if the right hand wing tips actually touched the
+water. One inch more and there might have been an abrupt conclusion to
+this story, but Dr. Perkins' hands seemed to be everywhere at once. They
+flashed among levers and wheels.
+
+For the space of a breath the _Sea Eagle_ hung almost vertically, and
+then the big craft suddenly righted and shot upward on an even keel once
+more. But the moment had been an awful one, and as they winged their way
+upward not one aboard was there but felt that they had been delivered
+from a dreadful fate by what might well be described as a miracle.
+
+[Illustration: ONE INCH MORE AND THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ABRUPT
+CONCLUSION TO THIS STORY.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.--A RACE TO CLOUDLAND.
+
+
+Scudding before the wind, for the half gale that was blowing had shifted
+during their battle with the waves, the aerial voyagers made fast time
+beneath the storm wrack racing by overhead. In fact, it appeared to the
+boys that they actually outflew the wind. At any rate, it was not long
+before the thunder of the great breakers on a low, sandy beach told them
+that they were close to the shore.
+
+An instant later houses and streets came into view, and Dr. Perkins
+began looking anxiously about beneath for a place to land. He soon spied
+a spot,--a large ball-ground, or at least it appeared to be one, not far
+from the center of the city. Calling to Frank to "stand by" the engines,
+he began to descend in a series of circles.
+
+Coming to earth in a high wind is a risky bit of business for the air
+man, about as dangerous a maneuver, in fact, as can be imagined. But in
+this case there was no choice for Dr. Perkins and his young friends,
+unless they wanted to be carried clear across the cape and into Delaware
+Bay.
+
+Below them they could now see excited crowds racing toward the
+ball-ground, as soon as it became evident that that was the spot where
+the air men intended to alight. This did not please Dr. Perkins at all.
+A crowd was the last thing that he wished to have about when he made his
+drop earthward. But there was no help for it, and he kept on descending,
+trusting to the good sense of the throngs below to get out of the way
+when the time came.
+
+But crowds have never been remarkable for their common sense, and this
+one was no exception. The last "bank" had been made with safety, and the
+_Sea Eagle_ was making a clean-cut swoop to earth, when the crowd rushed
+in right below her. To have kept the craft on its course would have
+meant much injury, and possible loss of life. On the other hand, Dr.
+Perkins knew that in the wind that was blowing it would be dangerous in
+the extreme to the air craft to change her course.
+
+"Get out of the way!" he shouted.
+
+"Out of the way unless you want to get hurt!" yelled Frank and Harry.
+
+But the crowd, like foolish sheep, only stared and gaped, and made not
+the slightest effort to avoid the on-driving _Sea Eagle_.
+
+There was only one thing to do, and Dr. Perkins did it. There was a
+quick twist of his steering wheel, and the _Sea Eagle_, instantly
+obeying her helm, darted off in an opposite direction to the one in
+which she had been advancing. Like a flash Dr. Perkins pulled the rising
+lever, at the same time shouting to Frank to stop the engines
+momentarily. He thought that the _Sea Eagle_ would rise of her own
+volition, and knew that if the engines kept driving at top speed that
+his craft would be plunged prow first into the earth.
+
+So he chose the lesser of the two evils, and the maneuver might have
+been successful but for one thing. There was not room in which to
+execute it.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ hesitated, half rose, and then crashed down to the
+ground, landing heavily on one wing tip and smashing it to bits. Frank
+and Harry were pitched clean out of the hydroplane substructure when the
+impact came, and a cry of alarm went up from the crowd. But Dr. Perkins
+clung to his seat and brought the big craft to a stop.
+
+Fortunately neither Frank nor Harry had been much injured, beyond being
+badly shaken up and bruised, and they were both on their feet again in a
+jiffy after the accident. The crowd, as if realizing that its actions
+had had a good deal to do with the accident, forebore to press in, and
+they made their way to Dr. Perkins' side without difficulty.
+
+"Is she much injured?" was Frank's first question.
+
+"By good luck I think we have escaped serious damage," rejoined Dr.
+Perkins, "but only an examination can tell."
+
+At this moment a well-dressed, prosperous-looking man came elbowing
+through the crowd. He came straight up to Dr. Perkins with hand
+extended.
+
+"Well, Perkins!" he exclaimed. "I always told you you'd have a tumble
+some time, and now you've had it; right in my back yard, too. But I'm
+sincerely glad to see that neither you nor your machine appears to be
+much injured."
+
+The newcomer was Mr. James Studley, an old acquaintance of the
+inventor's, who was summering at Cape May. The doctor was very glad to
+see him and accepted his cordial invitation to spend the night at his
+house, the boys, of course, being included in the invitation.
+
+In the meantime, a squadron of police had arrived, who drove back the
+crowds, and arrangements were made to keep a guard on duty all night
+till an examination of the wrecked machine could be made.
+
+"The accident, if it had to happen, could not have occurred more
+conveniently, so to speak," Dr. Perkins confided to his companions as
+they followed Mr. Studley to a handsome house not far away. "Mr. Studley
+is a manufacturer of aeroplanes, and has started a factory here, so that
+very probably we can get material to repair our damages without much
+trouble."
+
+This was good news indeed to the boys, who had begun to fear that the
+trip might be abandoned.
+
+They enjoyed a good dinner and a change into dry clothes as the guests
+of Mr. Studley and his wife, and bright and early the next morning
+repairs were made to the splintered wing tip, which was not so badly
+damaged as had at first appeared. Mr. Studley, who had provided workmen
+and materials for the task from his aeroplane factory, refused to hear
+of any compensation.
+
+"Such services should be rendered freely and gladly by one birdman to
+another," he declared laughingly. "Who knows that some day I may not
+drop in on you at your island, in more senses than one."
+
+As every trace of the storm had vanished, and the morning was bright and
+clear, no obstacle opposed itself to the continuance of their journey as
+soon as the repairs had been completed. So fine was the weather, in
+fact, that Mr. Studley declared his intention of accompanying them in a
+light "runabout" aeroplane of the monoplane class, for a short distance.
+
+The machine, a pretty little affair of the Bleriot type, was soon
+wheeled out, and Mr. Studley declared all was ready for the start. As on
+the evening before, a large crowd had gathered, but the police kept them
+back, and gave the two vastly different aeroplanes a clear field in
+which to rise. A greater contrast could not well be imagined than that
+presented by the heavy, rather cumbersome-looking _Sea Eagle_ with her
+substantial underbody and huge wing spread, and the trim, dainty little
+monoplane, which was named the _Green Firefly_.
+
+"We're all ready when you are," exclaimed Dr. Perkins, turning to his
+friend, who was already seated in his long-bodied, gauzy-winged air
+craft.
+
+"All right! Clear the way!" cried Mr. Studley with a wave of his hands.
+
+His mechanics gave the propeller of the monoplane a twirl, as it was not
+provided with self-starting mechanism, and a moment later the roaring
+fusillade of the _Sea Eagle's_ motor was drowning the sharp, angry,
+hornet-like buzzing of the _Green Firefly_.
+
+"Go!" yelled Mr. Studley, and simultaneously, as it seemed, the two sky
+ships dashed forward over the smooth sward.
+
+"Hooray!" shouted the crowd.
+
+"They're off!" shouted others.
+
+And then, a minute later:
+
+"Look! They're going up!"
+
+"So they are!" cried the spectators, as if there was any room for doubt
+about the matter.
+
+The light _Firefly_ was first, by the fraction of a second, to point her
+sharp nose up toward the tranquil blue dome of the sky. But the _Sea
+Eagle_ was not tardy in following.
+
+"Come on!" shouted Mr. Studley, casting a swift glance back over his
+shoulder at his large comrade of the air. He appeared to think that he
+would have little difficulty in distancing the huge machine.
+
+"We haven't begun yet!" cried Dr. Perkins back to him, with an answering
+wave of the hand.
+
+Nor was the _Sea Eagle_ as yet making a quarter of the speed she was
+capable of. On account of her great weight, and general size of her wing
+spread, it was not advisable to "open everything up" at once when she
+made an ascent from the land.
+
+The _Firefly_ darted ahead like some creature that rejoiced to be
+sporting in its element. But close behind came a roar and whirr as Frank
+let out another notch on the _Sea Eagle_. Up and up they flew, while the
+crowd below dwindled to pigmies, and the houses looked like so many toy
+Noah's Arks. It was plain enough that Mr. Studley was engaged in a
+good-natured effort to show his friend that the _Firefly_ was an
+infinitely faster craft than her cumbersome rival. He darted this way
+and that, making spirals and doing rocking-chair evolutions with the
+perfection of aerial grace.
+
+Dr. Perkins attempted none of these stunts, but from time to time he
+turned back to Frank and nodded as a signal to give the craft a little
+more power.
+
+By the time the twin propellers were developing their top push and
+speed, the owner of the _Firefly_ realized that he had a tussle on his
+hands. He ceased his graceful evolutions and settled down to real
+flying. But he had not gone a mile over the aerial race track before the
+_Sea Eagle_ thundered past him like a "Limited" of the skies.
+
+"Good-by and thank you!" Dr. Perkins found time to yell, as they flashed
+past, bound due south once more.
+
+"Good-by. Good luck to you!" came from Mr. Studley, as he waved his hand
+in the realization that he was beaten.
+
+There was no time to exchange more words. In a few minutes the boys,
+looking back, could only see a black speck like a shoe button against
+the sky to mark where the defeated _Firefly_ was turning about and
+heading for home.
+
+As for the _Sea Eagle_, at sixty miles an hour, and with her motor going
+faster every minute, that staunch and speedy craft was winging her way
+at top speed for her distant goal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.--THE BOY AVIATORS' PLUCK.
+
+
+But it was almost a week later that the 1,400 odd miles down the coast
+to Fernandina, Florida, and from thence overland to the Crescent City,
+were completed. Storms and minor accidents spun out the voyage to this
+length, although Dr. Perkins had calculated on making a faster run. In
+fact, his aim had been to make about 500 miles a day, with night flights
+to help out, if possible.
+
+Many interesting incidents, which it would require another volume to
+chronicle in detail, marked the trip. Off Savannah the _Sea Eagle_ towed
+a disabled motor boat, containing a pleasure party, into port, and a
+short time later flew above the Atlantic squadron of the United States
+fleet bound south for target practice. Aerial greetings were exchanged
+by wireless between the _Sea Eagle_ and Uncle Sam's bulldogs of the
+ocean.
+
+The next day the _Sea Eagle_ was once more enabled to render aerial
+ambulance service by taking an injured keeper from a lighthouse off
+Fernandina into port, and arranging for a substitute to be sent out at
+once. At every city they stopped they received a great reception, for by
+this time the flight of the _Sea Eagle_ had received the attention of
+the country through the medium of the newspapers.
+
+Possibly one incident may be worth chronicling in more detail. This
+occurred when, a short time after rising for a night flight from Eufala,
+Alabama, to the Mississippi State line, Frank descried, through some
+trees, what he thought was the rising moon.
+
+"That's the funniest-looking moon I ever saw," declared Harry, who
+happened to be doing duty as engineer.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with it?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Why, it's red."
+
+"Probably caused by the mist from some marshlands," decided Dr. Perkins,
+who was resting, while Frank guided the _Sea Eagle_, at which he had
+become quite expert. But the next moment he changed his opinion.
+
+"It isn't the moon at all. It's the glare from a fire, and a big one,
+too. Let's hurry up, boys."
+
+Neither Frank nor Harry needed any urging, and the _Sea Eagle_ was soon
+traversing the air so fast that the wind sang in their ears. As they
+raced along the glare grew brighter and angrier, glowing with a lambent
+red core from which flames could be seen leaping skyward like a nest of
+fiery serpents.
+
+A few minutes brought them into full view of the conflagration. It
+proved to be a fine old farm-house. The front of the place was a mass of
+flame, and the blaze appeared to be bursting through the roof. Men could
+be seen running about the grounds like a nest of disturbed ants, and
+others were hastening on foot, in autos and in buggies, from every
+direction.
+
+Nobody paid any attention to the oncoming aeroplane in the excitement,
+and when it dropped to earth on the lawn in front of the blazing
+building, there was the liveliest sort of confusion. Some of the farmers
+did not know what to make of the visitor from the skies, but their more
+enlightened neighbors soon informed them, and recalled the newspaper
+accounts they had read of the _Sea Eagle's_ great flight.
+
+"Anybody in the building?" shouted Frank, jumping from the _Sea Eagle_
+as the craft came to a standstill.
+
+Nobody answered for a moment, but suddenly, from the back of the
+building, came a piercing scream.
+
+"Help! Help!"
+
+"Goodness, that's a woman calling!" exclaimed Frank. "Come on, Harry."
+
+Both boys dashed round to the rear of the blazing mansion, and there, at
+a third-story window, they saw a woman with a baby in her arms, leaning
+out and frantically calling for help.
+
+"Get a ladder!" shouted Frank.
+
+"No time to hunt for it," cried Harry. "We'll have to try another way."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"See the flat roof of that coach house over there? If we had a board we
+could make a bridge from it to the window."
+
+"But how are we to get to the roof of the coach house?"
+
+"Fly there."
+
+"What! in the _Sea Eagle_?"
+
+"Why not? The roof is flat and big enough to give us room to land if we
+are careful."
+
+"Cracky! I think you're right. Has anybody got a board?"
+
+"Here you are," exclaimed a man who had darted off to a lumber pile when
+he overheard Harry's plan.
+
+"Good! I think this will be long enough. Come on, Harry, let's lose no
+time. See, the flames are almost at that part of the house."
+
+At top speed the two boys ran back to the _Sea Eagle_, calling to Dr.
+Perkins to join them. Hastily they explained what they meant to do. Dr.
+Perkins was inclined to doubt if the plan was feasible, but as it
+appeared to be the only way to save the woman and the child, he agreed
+to attempt it, grave though the risk of disaster to the _Sea Eagle_
+appeared to be.
+
+While the excited men gathered about, and the woman's cries still filled
+the air, the _Sea Eagle_ was started up, and after circling about,
+dropped to the coach house roof. The big craft landed without mishap,
+but Frank reversed the engines barely in time to prevent her from
+rolling off. However, with the front wheels of the substructure on the
+very brink of the cornice, the _Sea Eagle_ came obediently to a
+standstill.
+
+They had brought the board with them, and it was shoved across to the
+woman, who saw at once what they intended to do. She secured it to the
+ledge of the window at which she had been standing, and Frank worked his
+way across the plank bridge and took the child in his arms. He recrossed
+in safety with it, and then came the woman's turn to trust herself to
+the frail bridge. But she hesitated till smoke was pouring into the
+room, and then, fairly driven to try the slender support, she began to
+cross it.
+
+From the coach house roof the boys called encouragingly to her, for the
+plank was far too weak to bear the weight of two persons. Even under
+Frank and the baby it had sagged ominously. Something in the woman's
+face as she neared the end of her journey caused Frank to reach out
+toward her. It was well that he had the foresight to do so, for as she
+reached the end of her journey she suddenly fainted.
+
+Another instant and she would have fallen forty feet to the ground, but
+Frank caught her dress in a strong grip. Luckily, it was of stout
+material and did not rip as he seized it. Dr. Perkins and Harry came to
+his aid the next minute, and with their united strength they managed to
+draw the woman's limp form to safety.
+
+Hardly had they done so before the flames began breaking out fiercely
+from the back of the house, and, driven by the strong wind, they were
+uncomfortably close to the coach house roof. No time was lost in placing
+the woman and her infant in the _Sea Eagle_, after which the air craft
+was started. Dr. Perkins rose to a suitable height from which to make a
+safe descent, and then swept down to the ground, carrying the first
+woman and child in the history of the world to be saved from a blazing
+building by aeroplane.
+
+The woman soon recovered after some friends of the neighborhood had
+taken her and her child to a nearby dwelling.
+
+The owner of the building, and the husband of the woman who had been so
+bravely rescued, now came bustling up, his face beaming with gratitude.
+At the moment he was not thinking of the fire but of the brave strangers
+from the sky who had saved his wife and child.
+
+"I don't know who you are, or where you came from," he exclaimed, "but
+you literally dropped from the skies when all hope appeared lost. I was
+in town buying stock, and on my way out I saw the flames coming from my
+home. Knowing my wife and child had retired I dreaded to think what
+would have happened if they had not been aroused. I arrived here in time
+to find my worst fears realized. How can I ever thank you for what you
+have done?"
+
+"Oh, we only tried to do what we could," said Frank modestly; "we saw
+the fire and came down to see if we couldn't help."
+
+"I owe the lives of my wife and child to your quickness and courage, and
+that wonderful airship of yours," vehemently declared the man, whose
+name was Winfield Thomas, a wealthy farmer. "It was a real blessing you
+happened along as you did."
+
+Dr. Perkins and the boys could only repeat how glad they were to have
+done what they could. Without waiting much longer, except to
+congratulate Mrs. Thomas on her quick recovery, and to express the hope
+that she would feel no bad effects from her experience, the voyage was
+shortly resumed. But the adventure at the burning farm house long
+remained in the boys' memory, and strengthened their attachment to the
+_Sea Eagle_.
+
+Nearing New Orleans they caught a wireless message from Billy Barnes
+telling them that he had secured quarters for the _Sea Eagle_ in
+Algiers, a suburb across the river from the city. That night one stage
+of the trip was concluded when, in answer to a signal given with a blue
+lamp, they dropped into a field on the outskirts of Algiers and housed
+the _Sea Eagle_ in a large barn.
+
+"Thunder and turtles!" cried Pudge when that night in the St. Charles
+Hotel they were relating their adventures. "You fellows have all the fun
+and we do all the work."
+
+"Never mind, Pudge," said Frank; "I guess we'll have adventures in
+plenty ahead of us when we try to locate the wreck of the _Belle of New
+Orleans_."
+
+"Which will be as soon as possible," said Dr. Perkins. "Our trip has
+taken us longer than I anticipated, and there is a strong chance that
+Duval may have got ahead of us."
+
+"There's another reason for hurrying," declared Billy, who had just
+wired to his paper a long account of the _Sea Eagle's_ trip; "they say
+that the river is rising. There have been unprecedented rainstorms and
+the levees are weakening. Negroes are at work on them all along the
+line, but they doubt if they can make them hold if the river keeps
+rising."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.--CAPTURED BY AeROPLANE.
+
+
+During the short time that they had been in the city Ben Stubbs and his
+two young companions had done wonders in the way of collecting equipment
+for the purpose of rifling the treasure which it was expected lay in the
+submerged hulk of the _Belle of New Orleans_. A diving suit with pumping
+apparatus of the latest type, blocks and tackles and hand spikes were
+among the things laid in stock. Ben had also invested in a new device, a
+submarine searchlight. The choice of this last was warmly approved by
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+"I was wondering how it would be possible to find one's way about the
+sunken ship without some such article," he said approvingly, and old
+Ben's rugged face glowed with satisfaction.
+
+"Trust an old timer, sir, for remembering those things," he said.
+
+"Indeed, nobody could have selected a more complete outfit," rejoined
+Dr. Perkins.
+
+The inventory of the goods was taken the next morning, and hiring a boat
+the stuff was transported to Algiers, where the _Sea Eagle_ had been
+looked after over night by a couple of darkies.
+
+As they crossed the river in a hired boat they noticed how swiftly the
+current ran and how discolored it was. The negro who rowed them
+commented on it, too.
+
+"Dey be po'ful big flood befo' long, genelmen," he opined, "an' when ole
+man Mississip' git up on his hind lags ain't nuffin' kin stop him. Dem
+lebees dey go jes lak so much straw er hay."
+
+"All the more reason for our making haste," said Dr. Perkins, addressing
+the others; "it would be hard fortune indeed if Ben were to be robbed of
+his fortune by a flood."
+
+The shed which had sheltered the _Sea Eagle_ overnight was close to the
+water's edge so that the goods were soon transported on board. All was
+found to be in good shape, and the two darkies, who had watched the air
+craft overnight, received an extra gratuity for their pains. The
+adventurers had been particular not to give out any details of their
+flight, and it was expected that they would stay in New Orleans for some
+days before proceeding, so that no curious crowd, only a few negroes and
+stragglers, were on hand to see them start.
+
+Dr. Perkins had an excellent chart of the river, showing distinctly the
+location of Black Bayou, which lay back from the river amidst a maze of
+other wriggly creeks and water courses. The _Belle of New Orleans_ had
+been on her way to a "far back" plantation to pick up cotton, when she
+blew up, which accounted for the wreck being submerged in such an out of
+the way place.
+
+As they flew along the river, but far above it, they could see human
+beings, busy as ants, working along the levees, strengthening them
+against the dreaded floods which already had devastated whole sections
+of country in Ohio and farther up the mighty stream. At length the
+course of the _Sea Eagle_ was changed till she was flying over a perfect
+maze of water courses and bayous, winding in and out of a dense forest.
+From above, it looked like a lace work of water overlying a piece of
+dark green plush.
+
+But the map showed a landmark for Black Bayou. Harry's plan was marked
+"Ruined plantation house and sugar mill." Frank was the first to spy out
+this important "bearing." The _Sea Eagle_ was at that time not very far
+up, and the gaunt walls and desolate overgrown buildings of the once
+prosperous place could be seen clearly. "Giant cypress with three
+forks," was the next marking, and, sure enough, on a little patch of an
+island, not far from the ruined plantation, they presently saw a gaunt
+dead tree answering this description.
+
+"Bayous and bullfrogs! We're getting hot now!" cried Pudge excitedly.
+"Ben, I believe that that rascal was telling the truth after all."
+
+"I'm inclined to think so, too, Master Pudge," rejoined Ben; "and
+look--look there--that must be the Catfish Island marked on the plan. See,
+it's just the shape of one of them critters."
+
+"So it is, Ben," cried Frank, peering down. "Goodness, this _is_
+exciting, though. Just think, in a short time we shall know if our
+flight for a fortune is----"
+
+"A fizzle or not," interrupted the slangy Pudge.
+
+"Right off Catfish Island two points to the north," read out Harry.
+
+Dr. Perkins glanced at the compass and slightly altered the direction of
+the _Sea Eagle;_ then he allowed the great craft to drop gently to rest
+on the waters of Black Bayou.
+
+Harry referred to the plan again.
+
+"North a hundred yards to the Lone Pine Island."
+
+"There it is," cried Frank, indicating a small spot of land on which a
+dead pine reared its bare trunk.
+
+Hardly had he spoken when a canoe shot round a bend in a small bayou
+just ahead of them, and a wild-looking man, who had been paddling it,
+checked his frail craft. His unkempt whiskers covered him almost to his
+waist, and his clothes were ragged to a degree. But none of them thought
+of this as the swamp dweller so unexpectedly came into view.
+
+"Is this the Black Bayou?" they cried almost in chorus.
+
+The other nodded and stared wildly and half in alarm at the
+strange-looking craft that confronted him.
+
+"_Oui!_ Thees Black Bayou," he rejoined in soft, broken accents; "what
+you want, eh?"
+
+"Did you ever hear tell of the _Belle of New Orleans?_" asked Ben, in a
+voice that shook with suppressed excitement.
+
+To his astonishment the Acadian--for the weird figure in the boat was one
+of those strange dwellers of the cypress swamps--burst into a loud laugh.
+
+"Oh ho! Oh ho!" he cackled; "what you want wid zee _Belle of New
+Orleans_, eh? What you want weez her?"
+
+Ben hesitated, and before he could reply the other burst into another
+weird cackling laugh, and held up a small object.
+
+"You want zee pearl, zee gold, hey? Zey all gone! See, I have one. Zee
+men who come here two day ago give it me for help zem. Adieu!"
+
+Before anybody on the _Sea Eagle_ could utter a word the fellow gave a
+deft stroke of his paddle and his canoe shot off into the trackless
+paths of the swamps.
+
+"Well, what under the sun!" burst out Frank, while Pudge weakly
+ejaculated:
+
+"Centipedes and spongecakes!"
+
+"It's all clear enough," exclaimed Ben bitterly. "Those ruffians got
+ahead of us. That 'Cadian took them to the scene of the wreck and
+they've rifled it."
+
+"That was undoubtedly a black pearl he held up," said Dr. Perkins in a
+faint voice. "I suppose they gave him that for guiding them here."
+
+The sudden shriek of a high-crested kingfisher made them look up
+suddenly. The bird was darting from tree to tree on an island at a
+little distance. Suddenly something that lay at the foot of a tree
+caught Ben's sharp eyes.
+
+"What's that? That glittering thing yonder?" he exclaimed, pointing.
+
+"Easy enough to see," said Dr. Perkins, starting up the _Sea Eagle_ for
+the little island.
+
+"It's a diving helmet!" cried Frank as they drew closer to the object,
+"just look, the rascals must have left it there after they got the
+treasure out of the sunken wreck. I guess they thought that as they were
+so rich they need not bother with it."
+
+They landed on the island as disconsolate and downcast a band of
+treasure hunters as ever set foot on the site of a treasure trove.
+Abundant evidences of a camp were all about them. The ashes of a fire,
+and scraps of food and paper. One of these caught Frank's attention. It
+was a fragment of newspaper, and what had challenged Frank's notice was
+that a band of red ink had been drawn around some printing on it. Frank
+read the marked portion with a somewhat vague curiosity. For the moment
+he did not realize what an important clew he had stumbled upon. Then it
+rushed upon him with full force.
+
+Ben and the others were on the shore of the island pointing down into
+the muddy waters of the bayou.
+
+The earth was trampled in the vicinity, and showed plainly that the
+miscreants who had stolen the treasure had carried on their operations
+from that point of the bank.
+
+"Down thar somewhar' lies the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_," said
+Ben, shaking his head dolefully, and pointing into the black current;
+"but it ain't going to do us no good, mates. It ain't going to do us no
+good; them sea skunks has got ahead of us for fair."
+
+It was at this point that Frank's shout interrupted them.
+
+"What is it?" cried Dr. Perkins.
+
+"This paper. Come here. I think it's a clew to where they have gone."
+
+They crowded about him while Frank read out from the marked paper.
+
+"'The new South American Commerce Company's steamer _Buenos Aires_ sails
+to-morrow for the latter port. She is a fast, capable craft and will
+make a direct run to the Argentine. The inauguration of this service is
+a distinct addition to the commercial importance of New Orleans and
+establishes new trade relations with South America.'"
+
+"Very pretty," said Ben; "but what does it prove?"
+
+"Yes, I don't see much of a clew in that," put in Harry.
+
+But Frank raised his hand to command silence.
+
+"Listen a minute," he said. "Of course, I may be altogether wrong, but
+it seems to me that the reason this paragraph is marked is because those
+fellows meant to sail on this very boat."
+
+Ben brought his hand down on his knee with a resounding whack.
+
+"By hookey, lad!" he roared; "that's reason. That's solid sense and
+reason."
+
+"What is the date of that paper?" asked Dr. Perkins.
+
+"Luckily the paragraph was torn off from the top of the page," said
+Frank, "and the date of the issue is legible. It is dated yesterday."
+
+"Then the _Buenos Aires_ sailed this morning?"
+
+"Yes; that's the way it looks."
+
+"And while we are wasting time here she is heading down the river for
+the open sea," groaned Harry.
+
+"Can't we wireless to New Orleans and find out?" asked Pudge.
+
+"That's a mighty good idea, Pudge," said his father, "but the set we
+have on the _Sea Eagle_ wouldn't carry as far as that."
+
+"Then let's get on board again and fly back as quickly as possible. We
+are only wasting time here," said Frank.
+
+His suggestion was quickly acted upon, and the voyagers reembarked. They
+were a very different party from the pleasantly excited expedition that
+had set out that morning so full of hope and enterprise. Frank alone
+kept up his spirits. He sat constantly at the wireless as they winged
+their way back to New Orleans, incessantly trying to get into
+communication.
+
+At last he caught the operator of the Harbor Master's office. Instantly
+he flashed his query:
+
+"Did _Buenos Aires_ sail this a. m.?"
+
+"Yes. Ship sailed early to-day."
+
+"Where will she be now?"
+
+"About off Fort Jackson, near the mouth of the river," came the reply.
+"She has wireless, but it is out of order, so that I can't tell you
+exactly where she is right now."
+
+"Thanks!" flashed Frank and disconnected.
+
+He quickly communicated his tidings, and immediately a hasty, excited
+consultation followed. The result of it was that Dr. Perkins decided to
+ground the _Sea Eagle_ in Algiers. This done, Ben would swear out a
+warrant before the most available justice, and then, if they could find
+a deputy nervy enough to make the trip, he was to be taken on board the
+_Sea Eagle_ and the _Buenos Aires_ overtaken before she got beyond the
+jurisdiction of the State.
+
+But after landing in Algiers these plans were changed. It was decided
+instead to swear out a federal warrant, as there was grave danger of the
+ship getting out of the State's power before they could overtake her. On
+the extraordinary circumstances being related to him, the U. S.
+Commissioner at New Orleans readily granted the warrant for the arrest
+of all three of the rascals. It now remained only to find a Deputy U. S.
+Marshal courageous enough to make the trip through the air.
+
+The only one available seemed a bit doubtful.
+
+"A trip in an aeroplane!" he said. "I've never taken such a journey and
+I'm scared of the blessed things. You see, I've got a wife and family,
+and----"
+
+"Don't be afraid. There's really no danger, and we'll be over water most
+of the way," urged Dr. Perkins.
+
+The deputy seemed to come to a sudden conclusion. His eyes snapped and
+his lips tightened.
+
+"All right, I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "Wait till I 'phone
+the missus and I'm your man. Those rascals played you a mean trick, and
+I'd like to see you win out."
+
+The hearts of the adventurers gave a bound of hope. There was a chance
+of seeing justice come into its own, after all.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+The _Buenos Aires_, a fine ship of five thousand or more tons, dropped
+rapidly down the river. She had few cabin passengers, and of these only
+three were on deck. The remainder were in their cabins putting their
+belongings to rights.
+
+These three men were the elder Daniels, his loutish son and Duval. But
+they all wore smart new clothes, and Duval had shaved off his mustache.
+As for the two Daniels, it is an example of what clothes can do to say
+that they looked more like prosperous, rather countryfied commission
+dealers than rugged fishermen from Maine.
+
+"Let's have a look at them pearls again," Daniels was saying, after he
+had given a cautious glance about him to make sure they were not
+observed.
+
+Duval reached into his pocket and drew out a canvas bag. From it he
+poured out a number of black, lustrous objects, catching them in a
+cupped hand.
+
+"Twenty of the beauties," he exclaimed; "twenty black pearls--the rarest
+gems that come out of the ocean."
+
+"What are they worth again?" asked the elder Daniels, licking his lips
+anticipatively.
+
+"Thirty thousand dollars at the least."
+
+"Jiminy! Hold me, some one!" sputtered Zeb.
+
+"And that, counting the gold dust in the cabin, makes a fortune of close
+upon seventy-five thousand dollars we got out of that old hulk, don't
+it?"
+
+"That's right," answered Duval; "you fellows did a good day's work for
+yourselves when you knocked me on the head in that hut."
+
+"Waal, I should say so. Let's go below and look at that gold again. I
+kin hardly keep my fingers frum touching it. We're rich, boys, we're
+rich!"
+
+The three worthies disappeared below after Duval had carefully replaced
+the black pearls in their bag. It was some hours later when they came up
+again and the ship was passing the Port Ead's light.
+
+"We're safe now," exclaimed Duval in a low tone; "even if they do
+discover the trick we've put up on em, they could never catch us now. In
+another two hours we'll be out on the gulf and by to-morrow we'll be out
+of reach of any one in Yankeeland."
+
+"Hulloo, what's up astern?" asked Zeb suddenly. "What are they all
+pointing at?"
+
+"Pointing at? What do you mean?" demanded Duval, suspicious as are most
+guilty consciences of anything unusual.
+
+"Something in the sky. Hark! They are shouting!"
+
+"_Something in the sky!_"
+
+Duval's face went white. His knees shook. By a flash of guilty intuition
+he had guessed what that something was, even if the next minute a shout
+had not split the air.
+
+"An aeroplane! It's an aeroplane!"
+
+Duval's knees quivered under him. He trembled like a man with the palsy.
+Old Daniels came up to him hastily.
+
+"Duval, they've sighted one of them airyoplanes--you don't think----"
+
+"No, I don't _think_. I know," choked out Duval, "they are after us.
+Hark!"
+
+From the distance came the sound of shots high up in the air. In reply
+to the signal--for such it was--the _Buenos Aires'_ whistle emitted three
+long, mournful toots. Her engines began to slow down. As Duval felt the
+steamer's speed check he dashed below to his cabin. As for Daniels, he
+stood rooted to the spot, his lips moving, but no speech coming from
+them. Zeb was nowhere to be seen.
+
+Up on the _Buenos Aires'_ lofty flying bridge her officers, in the
+meantime, had been almost equally excited. They had seen the aeroplane
+some time before; but as nowadays such craft are a fairly common sight,
+they had not paid overmuch attention to it. It was not till the unusual
+size of the craft was revealed that they scrutinized it closely.
+
+Then, as the big winged man-bird swung above the steamer's masts, had
+come the quick six pistol shots. An imperative signal, rightly
+interpreted "Stop!"
+
+The whistle had replied and the vessel's way been checked as the
+jangling signals sounded in the engine-room, and "Slow down" flashed up
+on the telegraph.
+
+"What do you want?" hailed the captain through a megaphone, as the _Sea
+Eagle_--for of course our readers have guessed the identity of the craft
+of the air--swung above him.
+
+"We want to board you with a United States warrant!" came the startling
+reply from midair.
+
+"A warrant! For some of my passengers?"
+
+"Yes; for three men whom we have reason to believe booked passage as
+Daniel Maine and son and another one who calls himself Francis Le
+Blanc."
+
+"I have three such men on board and recognize the authority of the
+United States. How will you board me?"
+
+"We'll come alongside."
+
+The captain looked as if he didn't understand how this was going to be
+done, but gave orders to stop the ship, drop anchor and lower the
+gangway. This was done, and the _Sea Eagle_ dropped to the water
+alongside with perfect precision. In the meantime, the wildest
+excitement reigned on board. Rumors flew thick and fast as to the errand
+of the men from the air.
+
+Lest it should be wondered how Dr. Perkins and his companions knew the
+names under which the three rascals had sailed, we had better clear this
+matter up. Before embarking in the _Sea Eagle_ in pursuit of the _Buenos
+Aires_, a passenger list had been obtained from the offices of the
+steamship company. It will be recalled that Francis Le Blanc was the
+alias, or false name, which Duval had used when in the employ of Mr.
+Sterrett on the yacht _Wanderer_. This gave them a clew, and when they
+came across the names Daniel Maine and son, booked for an adjoining
+cabin, there remained small doubt that those names concealed the two
+Daniels.
+
+The _Sea Eagle_ was soon made fast, and Marshal Howell, followed by Dr.
+Perkins and the two Boy Aviators, sprang up the gangway. The others they
+had been compelled to leave behind, as, with the three prisoners to
+carry back, the _Sea Eagle_ would have been overcrowded.
+
+As they reached the top of the gangway Captain Stow and his officers
+advanced to meet them.
+
+"To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?" asked the seaman.
+
+The marshal showed his authority and his warrant.
+
+"We don't wish to detain you longer than necessary, captain," he said,
+"so will you have us shown to their cabins?"
+
+The captain himself led the way below, and conducted them down a
+corridor to the stern of the ship. As they reached the end of the
+passage a door was thrust suddenly open and a bullet whizzed past
+Frank's head. At the same instant Zeb's figure appeared in the doorway.
+
+But before he could fire another shot the marshal had wrested the pistol
+from him and burst into the cabin. Frank was close behind him. At a port
+hole was Duval; he had something in his hand and was just about to hurl
+it out of the port hole, when Frank, in one bound, was at his side and
+had his arm captive. With a snarl like a wounded wild beast Duval turned
+on him, whipping out a knife as he did so. But before any harm could be
+done, Dr. Perkins seized and disarmed him.
+
+It was speedily found that the bag which Frank had saved was the one
+containing the black pearls which Duval, in his extremity, had
+determined to throw away rather than let any one else gain their
+possession. The Marshal slipped the handcuffs on Zeb and Duval, who
+submitted sullenly to arrest. It was not till then that their thoughts
+turned to the elder Daniels. He was not in his cabin, and search of the
+ship failed to reveal him. The mystery was soon to be explained,
+however.
+
+A boat with a colored oarsman had been lying alongside the steamer
+waiting to take off the pilot. In the confusion old Daniels had opened
+the bag of gold dust, selected a packet, and, dropping into the boat,
+told the negro to row him ashore to secure help for the officers. The
+negro naturally supposed that he was acting under proper instructions,
+and put the old fisherman ashore. He was never heard of again.
+
+Zeb and Duval sullenly refused to utter a word, but ultimately, after
+their return to New Orleans, Frank had an interview with Duval in his
+prison cell, in which he made a clean breast of everything. From
+Bayhaven they had hastened south by fast trains, stopping on the way to
+buy diving dress. The Acadian whom the boys had encountered in the
+swamps had guided them to the scene of the wreck, receiving one black
+pearl as his reward.
+
+Of the voyage back from the _Buenos Aires_ with the two prisoners not
+much can be said. It was made at a good rate of speed, and both Duval
+and Zeb were docile. Indeed, there was no use in their being otherwise.
+On account of his youth and the pleadings of Dr. Perkins and the boys,
+Zeb got a light sentence in a reformatory institution, and it is hoped
+that he will prove a far better character when he gets out. Duval was
+more severely dealt with, but even he got off more lightly than he
+deserved, thanks to the clemency of the people he had wronged.
+
+And so ends the story of the Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune in the
+most wonderful aeroplane constructed up to date. But no doubt, in the
+rapid march of events, even the _Sea Eagle_ will soon be surpassed.
+Already, while this book goes to press, plans are being made by no less
+than four separate aviators to dare the terrors of a transatlantic
+passage. Whether they will succeed or not is in the lap of the future,
+but the author is certain that some day flights across "The Pond" at
+seventy or eighty miles an hour will be so common as to attract but
+small attention.
+
+Some of my readers doubtless wish to know how Ben disposed of his
+fortune. Well, part of it he wisely invested in real estate, and the
+rest he is thinking of putting into the company Dr. Perkins has formed
+to manufacture _Sea Eagles_. Mr. Sterrett is a member of the company,
+and so are the Boy Aviators. Naturally Ben's keen wish to have them
+share some of his good fortune was refused, for, as we know, the Boy
+Aviators' adventures in the past had netted them a good share of this
+world's goods. Billy Barnes is publicity agent at a good salary for the
+_Sea Eagle_ Company, Ltd., and the work just suits his tastes. As for
+Pudge, he is as hard a worker as anybody at the plant on Brig Island,
+learning the business "from the bottom up."
+
+And so, wishing them well in their future undertakings, we will here
+take leave for the present of our friends, until we hear of them again
+in the next volume, entitled "The Boy Aviators with the Air Raiders."
+
+                                THE END.
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+The Boy Aviators in Nicaragua
+
+Or, Leagued With Insurgents
+
+  The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the
+  inauguration of a new era in boys' books--the "wonders of modern
+  science" epoch. Frank and Harry Chester, the Boy Aviators, are the
+  heroes of this exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and
+  land in the turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers
+  with their $10,000 prize aeroplane, the Golden Eagle, rescue a chum
+  from death in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost
+  treasure valley of the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost
+  lose their own lives in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have
+  many other exciting experiences, including being blown far out to
+  sea in their air-skimmer in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to
+  divulge the part that wireless plays in rescuing them from their
+  predicament. In a brand new field of fiction for boys the Chester
+  brothers and their aeroplane seem destined to fill a top-notch
+  place. These books are technically correct, wholesomely thrilling
+  and geared up to third speed.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+Or, Working With Wireless
+
+  In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the
+  Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting
+  chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting
+  experiences on Uncle Sam's service in a novel field. One must read
+  this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get
+  an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest
+  inventions of modern times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy.
+  While gripping and holding the reader's breathless attention from
+  the opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the
+  same time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have
+  already made friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their "bunch"
+  know, there are few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they
+  may seem at first blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot
+  overcome with flying colors. A clean-cut, real boys' book of high
+  voltage.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail
+
+In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the
+American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old friends,
+the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa--the Dark
+Continent--the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, their
+voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious forests and
+unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, for the first
+time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York millionaire, who proved
+later such an implacable enemy of the boys. The story of his defeated
+schemes, of the astonishing things the boys discovered in the Mountains
+of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of George Desmond, the emulator of
+Stanley, the adventure of the Flying Men and the discovery of the
+Arabian Ivory cache,--this is not the place to speak. It would be
+spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to reveal the outcome of all these
+episodes here. It may be said, however, without "giving away" any of the
+thrilling chapters of this narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the
+author, is in it in his best vein, and from his personal experiences in
+Africa has been able to supply a striking background for the adventures
+of his young heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: "Here is
+adventure in good measure, pressed down and running over."
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST
+
+Or, The Golden Galleon
+
+Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden
+treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold
+that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is
+well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to
+the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the development
+of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure hunting in the
+region of the Gulf Stream and the Sargasso Sea. An aeroplane fitted with
+efficient pontoons--enabling her to skim the water successfully--has long
+been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys seem to have solved the
+problem. The Sargasso that strange drifting ocean within an ocean,
+holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of ages, in its relentless
+grip, has been the subject of many books of adventure and mystery, but
+in none has the secret of the ever shifting mass of treacherous currents
+been penetrated as it has in the BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther
+Barr, whom it seemed the boys had shaken off, is still on their trail,
+in this absorbing book and with a dirigible balloon, essays to beat them
+out in their search for the Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man--and
+woman and girl--who has ever felt the stirring summons of adventure in
+their souls, had better get hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be
+read and re-read till it falls to rags.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+Or, The Rival Aeroplane
+
+The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor--an attempt to capture a
+newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these lines
+are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast by one
+of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, the
+boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make the
+dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals for the
+rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to circumvent the
+lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. In this they stop
+short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and resources of the Boy
+Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the adventures encountered in
+their cross-country flight, the boys fall in with a band of rollicking
+cowboys--who momentarily threaten serious trouble--are attacked by
+Indians, strike the most remarkable town of the desert--the "dry" town of
+"Gow Wells," encounter a sandstorm which blows them into strange lands
+far to the south of their course, and meet with several amusing mishaps
+beside. A thoroughly readable book. The sort to take out behind the barn
+on the sunny side of the haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples
+and your heels kicking the air, pass happy hours with Captain Lawton's
+young heroes.
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY AVIATORS' SERIES
+
+By Captain Wilbur Lawton
+
+Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys
+
+Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH
+
+Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic
+
+If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar expedition
+in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate the Antarctic
+regions--hitherto only attained by a few daring explorers--you would feel
+interested, wouldn't you? Well, in Captain Lawton's latest book,
+concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only read absorbing adventure
+in the regions south of the eightieth parallel, but absorb much useful
+information as well. Captain Lawton introduces--besides the original
+characters of the heroes--a new creation in the person of Professor
+Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker for polar insects. The professor's
+adventures in his quest are the cause of much merriment, and lead once
+or twice to serious predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident
+and peril from cover to cover--relieved with laughable mishaps to the
+professor--it is difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent
+reader of it wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day,
+saying: "The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack
+of the condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the--but what's the
+use? The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than
+Captain Lawton's previous efforts, and that's saying a good deal. The
+aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the
+least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume."
+
+Sold by Booksellers Everywhere
+
+HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BOY INVENTORS SERIES
+
+Stories of Skill and Ingenuity
+
+By RICHARD BONNER
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.
+
+  Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of
+  investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+  creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+  mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because
+  they always "work" when put to the test.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN.
+
+  A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+  final success--this is the history of many an invention; a history in
+  which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence
+  figure. This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring
+  Boy Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and
+  which demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun.
+
+THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT.
+
+  As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+  triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately
+  valuable, and the stage for their proving and testing is again the
+  water. On the surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious
+  fun, and the story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge
+  the reader's deepest attention.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BORDER BOYS SERIES
+
+Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series
+
+By FREMONT B. DEERING.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL.
+
+  What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is the
+  problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete,
+  face in this exciting tale.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER.
+
+  Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean
+  River and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in
+  running the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient
+  splendors of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic
+  action than the Border of the New.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS.
+
+  As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever
+  before--so books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid
+  action and accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the
+  Mexican border.
+
+THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.
+
+  The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in
+  their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the
+  experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and
+  more resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in
+  connection with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES
+
+LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE
+
+By DEXTER J. FORRESTER.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS.
+
+  How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the
+  right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for
+  lively boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS.
+
+  A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken
+  Spanish galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest
+  at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot
+  and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings strange
+  adventures into the lives of the Bungalow Boys.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.
+
+  The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the
+  clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know
+  too much. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical
+  situation is also an exciting incident of this book.
+
+THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES.
+
+  The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes
+  and a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere
+  with the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and
+  adventure to it.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+Tales of the New Navy
+
+By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+Author of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES."
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE.
+
+  Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+  reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+  warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+  Sam's sailors.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER.
+
+  In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is
+  tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the
+  South American coast.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.
+
+  To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has
+  special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+  action are fascinating.
+
+THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.
+
+  Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc.
+  Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however,
+  although they make daring and notable flights in the name of the
+  Government; nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of
+  their old "enemies," who are also airmen.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+Twentieth Century Athletic Stories
+
+By MATHEW M. COLTON.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION.
+
+  How Frank's summer experience with his boy friends make him into a
+  sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating, and baseball
+  contests, and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this
+  splendid story.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS.
+
+  We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the
+  student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+  unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that
+  bears his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival
+  school teams are expertly described.
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM.
+
+  The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+  stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the
+  "Wee One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."
+
+FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER.
+
+  With the same persistent determination that won him success in
+  swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the
+  art of "drop kicking," and the Queen's football team profits
+  thereby.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR RANGERS SERIES
+
+HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIES
+
+By MARVIN WEST.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS' LOST MINE.
+
+  This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor
+  car in the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly
+  impossible "stunts," and yet everything happens "in the nick of
+  time."
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS.
+
+  Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure
+  make exciting times for the Motor Rangers--yet there is a strong
+  flavor of fun and freedom, with a typical Western mountaineer for
+  spice.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict.
+
+  The strange adventures of the sturdy craft "Nomad" and the stranger
+  experiences of the Rangers themselves with Morello's schooner and a
+  mysterious derelict form the basis of this well-spun yarn of the
+  sea.
+
+THE MOTOR RANGERS' CLOUD CRUISER.
+
+  From the "Nomad" to the "Discoverer," from the sea to the sky, the
+  scene changes in which the Motor Rangers figure. They have
+  experiences "that never were on land or sea," in heat and cold and
+  storm, over mountain peak and lost city, with savages and reptiles;
+  their ship of the air is attacked by huge birds of the air; they
+  survive explosion and earthquake; they even live to tell the tale!
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL AVIATORS SERIES
+
+Clean Aviation Stories
+
+By MARGARET BURNHAM.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS AND THE PHANTOM AIRSHIP.
+
+  Roy Prescott was fortunate in having a sister so clever and devoted
+  to him and his interests that they could share work and play with
+  mutual pleasure and to mutual advantage. This proved especially true
+  in relation to the manufacture and manipulation of their aeroplane,
+  and Peggy won well deserved fame for her skill and good sense as an
+  aviator. There were many stumbling-blocks in their terrestrial path
+  but they soared above them all to ultimate success.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS ON GOLDEN WINGS.
+
+  That there is a peculiar fascination about aviation that wins and
+  holds girl enthusiasts as well as boys is proved by this tale. On
+  golden wings the girl aviators rose for many an exciting flight, and
+  met strange and unexpected experiences.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS' SKY CRUISE.
+
+  To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure. How much
+  more perilous an adventure a "sky cruise" might be is suggested by
+  the title and proved by the story itself.
+
+THE GIRL AVIATORS' MOTOR BUTTERFLY.
+
+  The delicacy of flight suggested by the word "butterfly," the
+  mechanical power implied by "motor," the ability to, control assured
+  in the title "aviator," all combined with the personality and
+  enthusiasm of girls themselves, make this story one for any girl or
+  other reader "to go crazy over."
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+MOTOR MAIDS SERIES
+
+Wholesome Stories of Adventure
+
+By KATHERINE STOKES.
+
+Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS' SCHOOL DAYS.
+
+  Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic
+  girl to be successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car,
+  as she did her class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time
+  did they have all together. The road over which she ran her red
+  machine had many an unexpected turning,--now it led her into peculiar
+  danger; now into contact with strange travelers; and again into
+  experiences by fire and water. But, best of all, "The Comet" never
+  failed its brave girl owner.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE.
+
+  Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times, for these
+  were companionable girls who looked upon the world as a vastly
+  interesting place full of unique adventures--and so, of course, they
+  found them.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
+
+  It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully
+  entertaining to see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is that
+  privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join the Motor
+  Maids in their first 'cross-country run.
+
+THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER.
+
+  South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor could their
+  education by travel have been more wisely begun. But now a speaking
+  acquaintance with their own country enriched their anticipation of
+  an introduction to the British Isles. How they made their polite
+  American bow and how they were received on the other side is a tale
+  of interest and inspiration.
+
+Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR ***
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