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+ float: left; + margin-right: 1em } + +.align-right { clear: right; + float: right; + margin-left: 1em } + +.align-center { margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto } + +div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } + +/* SECTIONS */ + +body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } + +/* compact list items containing just one p */ +li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } + +.first { margin-top: 0 !important; + text-indent: 0 !important } +.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } + +span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } +img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } +span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } + +.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } + +/* PAGINATION */ + +@media screen { + .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage + { margin: 10% 0; } + + div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage + { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } + + .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } +} + +@media print { + div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } + div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} + +</style> +<title>THE AIRSHIP "GOLDEN HIND"</title> +<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> +<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Airship "Golden Hind"" /> +<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Percy F. Westerman" /> +<meta name="DC.Created" content="1920" /> +<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Fleming Williams" /> +<meta name="PG.Id" content="39488" /> +<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-04-19" /> +<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> +<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Airship "Golden Hind"" /> + +<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> +<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> +<meta content="The Airship "Golden Hind"" name="DCTERMS.title" /> +<meta content="airship.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> +<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> +<meta content="2012-04-20T04:03:41.289613+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> +<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> +<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> +<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39488" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> +<meta content="Percy F. Westerman" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> +<meta content="Fleming Williams" name="MARCREL.ill" /> +<meta content="2012-04-19" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> +<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> +<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39488 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="the-airship-golden-hind"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">THE AIRSHIP "GOLDEN HIND"</h1> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: coverpage --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 47%" id="figure-11"> +<span id="cover-art"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Cover art</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: frontispiece --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-12"> +<span id="the-golden-hind-rescues-a-shipwrecked-crew"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"'THE GOLDEN HIND' RESCUES A SHIPWRECKED CREW."</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> +<div class="center vspace white-space-pre-line x-large" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">THE AIRSHIP "GOLDEN HIND"</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">by</p> +<p class="center large pnext white-space-pre-line">Percy F. Westerman</p> +<p class="center pnext small white-space-pre-line">AUTHOR OF</p> +<p class="pnext white-space-pre-line">"THE SECRET BATTLEPLANE," "THE MYSTERY SHIP,"<br /> +"BILLY BARCROFT OF THE R.N.A.S.,"<br /> +ETC., ETC.</p> +<div class="center medium vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">ILLUSTRATED BY<br /> +FLEMING WILLIAMS</p> +<div class="center medium vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">Publishers<br /> +PARTRIDGE<br /> +London<br /> +1920</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +</div> +<div class="align-None container verso white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line">MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="left pfirst small white-space-pre-line">THE GREAT ADVENTURE SERIES</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">PERCY F. WESTERMAN:</em></p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">The Airship "Golden Hind"<br /> +To the Fore with the Tanks<br /> +The Secret Battleplane<br /> +Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">ROWLAND WALKER:</em></p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">Deville McKeene: The Exploits of the Mystery Airman<br /> +Blake of the Merchant Service<br /> +Buckle of Submarine V2<br /> +Oscar Danby, V.C.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line">LONDON:<br /> +S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., LTD.</p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="container contents"> +<ul class="compact simple toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-i-a-startling-proposition" id="id2">CHAPTER I--A STARTLING PROPOSITION</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ii-fosterdyke-explains" id="id3">CHAPTER II--FOSTERDYKE EXPLAINS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iii-the-golden-hind" id="id4">CHAPTER III--THE "GOLDEN HIND"</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iv-the-departure" id="id5">CHAPTER IV--THE DEPARTURE</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-v-first-away" id="id6">CHAPTER V--FIRST AWAY</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vi-z64-scores" id="id7">CHAPTER VI--Z64 SCORES</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vii-delays" id="id8">CHAPTER VII--DELAYS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-viii-cast-adrift" id="id9">CHAPTER VIII--CAST ADRIFT</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ix-the-escapade-of-enrico-jaures" id="id10">CHAPTER IX--THE ESCAPADE OF ENRICO JAURES</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-x-under-examination" id="id11">CHAPTER X--UNDER EXAMINATION</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xi-with-intent" id="id12">CHAPTER XI--"WITH INTENT"</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xii-confidences" id="id13">CHAPTER XII--CONFIDENCES</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiii-the-tail-of-a-cyclone" id="id14">CHAPTER XIII--THE TAIL OF A CYCLONE</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiv-the-boat-s-crew" id="id15">CHAPTER XIV--THE BOAT'S CREW</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xv-revelations" id="id16">CHAPTER XV--REVELATIONS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvi-the-observation-basket" id="id17">CHAPTER XVI--THE OBSERVATION BASKET</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvii-a-surprise-for-captain-prout" id="id18">CHAPTER XVII--A SURPRISE FOR CAPTAIN PROUT</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xviii-under-fire" id="id19">CHAPTER XVIII--UNDER FIRE</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xix-victims-of-a-revolution" id="id20">CHAPTER XIX--VICTIMS OF A REVOLUTION</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xx-wireless-reports" id="id21">CHAPTER XX--WIRELESS REPORTS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxi-von-sinzig-s-bid-for-safety" id="id22">CHAPTER XXI--VON SINZIG'S BID FOR SAFETY</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxii-the-end-of-z64" id="id23">CHAPTER XXII--THE END OF Z64</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxiii-a-dumping-operation" id="id24">CHAPTER XXIII--A DUMPING OPERATION</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxiv-within-sight-of-success" id="id25">CHAPTER XXIV--WITHIN SIGHT OF SUCCESS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxv-fire" id="id26">CHAPTER XXV--FIRE!</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxvi-well-played-sir" id="id27">CHAPTER XXVI--"WELL PLAYED, SIR!"</a></p> +</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst x-large">The Airship "Golden Hind"</p> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-a-startling-proposition"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id2">CHAPTER I--A STARTLING PROPOSITION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"What's the move?" enquired Kenneth Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ask me another, old son," replied his +chum, Peter Bramsdean. "Fosterdyke is +a cautious old stick, but he knows what's +what. There's something in the wind, you +mark my words."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then you're going to see him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather! And you too, old bean. +Where's a pencil? We can't keep the +telegraph boy waiting."</p> +<p class="pnext">Bramsdean tore a form from a pad, +scribbled on it the reply--"Fosterdyke, +Air Grange, near Blandford. Yes, will +expect motor to-morrow morning," and +he had taken the initial step of a journey +that man had never before attempted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon and Bramsdean were both +ex-flying officers of the Royal Air Force. +What they did in the Great War now +matters little. Sufficient is it to say that +had they belonged to any belligerent +nation save their own they would have +been styled "aces"; but since in the +Royal Air Force details of personal +achievements were deprecated, and the +credit given to the Force as a whole, they +merely "carried on" until ordered to "get +out," or, in other words, be demobilised. +Then, each with a highly-prized decoration +and a gratuity of precisely the same +amount as that given to an officer who +had never served anywhere save at the +Hotel Cecil, they found themselves literally +on their feet, relegated to the limbo of +civilian life. It was not long before they +found how quickly their gratuities +diminished. Like many other ex-members of +His Majesty's Forces, they began to realise +that in smashing the German menace +they had helped to raise a menace at +home--the greed and cupidity of the Profiteer.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were just two of thousands of skilled +airmen for whom as such there was now +no need. Commercial aviation had yet to +be developed; trick flying and exhibition +flights lead to nothing definite, and only a +very small percentage of war-time airmen +could be retained in the reconstituted Air Force.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon and Bramsdean were not men +to "take it lying down." They had pluck +and resource and a determination to "get +a move on," and within a twelvemonth +of their demobilisation they found +themselves partners and sole proprietors of a +fairly prosperous road transport concern +operating over the greater part of the South +of England.</p> +<p class="pnext">But it wasn't the same thing as flying. +Looking back over those strenuous years +of active service, they remembered vividly +the good times they had had, while the +"sticky" times were mellowed until they +could afford to laugh at those occasions +when they "had the wind up badly."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, with a suddenness akin to the +arrival of a "whizz-bang," came a telegram +from Sir Reginald Fosterdyke, asking the +chums to see him on the morrow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sir Reginald Fosterdyke had been +Bramsdean's and Kenyon's O.C., or, to employ +service phraseology, a Wing-Commander. +On his demobilisation he went to live at Air +Grange, a large old-world house standing +on high ground, a good five miles from +Blandford. Very rarely he left his +country-house; his visits to town were few and far +between, and his friends wondered at the +reticence of the versatile and breezy +Fosterdyke. He seldom wrote to anyone. +When he did, his correspondence was brief +and to the point. More frequently he +telegraphed--and then he meant business. +In pre-war days Air Grange was famous +for its week-end house parties. The +shooting, one of the best in the county of Dorset, +was an additional source of attraction to +Fosterdyke's guests. But the war, and +afterwards, had changed all that. Few, +very few, guests were to be found at Air +Grange; the staff of servants was greatly +reduced, the well-kept grounds developed +a state of neglect. Sir Reginald's friends +came to the conclusion that the baronet had +become "mouldy." They wondered what +possessed him to live an almost +hermit-like existence. Fosterdyke knew their +curiosity, but he merely shrugged his +shoulders and "carried on." His work in +the world of aviation was by no means +ended. It might be said that it was yet +a long way from attaining its zenith.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early on the morning following the +receipt of the baronet's telegram Sir +Reginald's car pulled up in front of the +premises used as the headquarters of the +Southern Roads Transport Company. +Kenyon and Bramsdean, having given +final instructions to their work's foreman--a +former flight-sergeant R.A.F.--jumped +into the car, and were soon whisking +northwards at a speed that was considerably in +excess of that fixed by the regulations.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although of a retiring disposition, Sir +Reginald Fosterdyke had made a point of +keeping in touch with his former officers. +He had a sort of personal interest in every +one of them, and on their part they regarded +him as one of the best. Whenever, on rare +occasions, Fosterdyke ran down to +Bournemouth he invariably looked up Bramsdean +and Kenyon to talk over old times. But +being invited to Air Grange was quite a +different matter. Vaguely, the chums +wondered what it might mean, conjecturing +ideas that somehow failed to be convincing. +Yet they knew that there was "something +in the wind." They knew Sir Reginald and +his methods.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through Blandford, up and past the now +deserted hutments where formerly German +prisoners led an almost idyllic existence +in their enemy's country, the car sped on +until it gained the lofty downs in the +direction of Shaftesbury. Then, turning up a +steep and narrow lane, the car drew up at +the gate of Air Grange.</p> +<p class="pnext">It had to. There was no gate-keeper to +unlock and throw open the massive iron +gates. That task the chauffeur had to +perform, stopping the car again in order +to make secure the outer portals of Sir +Reginald's demesne.</p> +<p class="pnext">While the car remained stationary the +two occupants looked in vain for a glimpse +of the house. All they could see was a +winding, weed-grown road, with a thick +belt of pine trees on either hand. To the +left of the road and under the lee of the +trees were half a dozen wooden huts, +unmistakably of a type known as temporary +military quarters. Smoke issuing from the +chimneys suggested the idea that they +were in "occupation," and a couple of +dungaree-clad men carrying a length of +copper pipe on their shoulders confirmed +the fact. Somewhere from behind the +trees came the sharp rattle of a pneumatic +drilling machine.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon glanced at his companion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's the Old Man up to, I wonder?" +he enquired. "Quite a labour colony. +Look--air flasks too, by Jove!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A pile of rusty wrought-iron cylinders +stacked on the grass by the side of the path +recalled visions of by-gone days.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Something doing, that's evident," +agreed Bramsdean. "What's the stunt, +and why are we hiked into it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wait and see, old bird," replied Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">The chauffeur regained the car and slipped +in the clutch. For full another quarter of a +mile the car climbed steadily, negotiating +awkward corners in the rutty, winding path, +until, emerging from the wood, it pulled up +outside the house of Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">No powdered footman awaited them. +On the steps, clad in worn but serviceable +tweeds, stood Sir Reginald Fosterdyke +himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">The baronet--generally referred to by +his former officers as the Old Man--was of +medium height, broad-shouldered, and +deep-chested. He was about thirty-five years +of age, with well-bronzed features, clean +shaven, and possessed a thick crop of +closely-cut dark brown hair tinged with iron grey.</p> +<p class="pnext">He held out his left hand as Kenyon and +Bramsdean ascended the stone steps--his +right hand was enveloped in surgical +bandages--and greeted his guests warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Glad to see you, boys!" he exclaimed. +"It's good of you to come. Have a glass +of sherry?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He led the way to the study, rang a bell, +and gave instructions to a man-servant +whom Kenyon recognised as the O.C.'s +batman somewhere in France.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sir Reginald sat on the edge of the table +and whimsically regarded his former +subordinates. At that moment, rising above the +staccato rattle of the pneumatic hammer, +came the unmistakable whirr of an aerial +propeller. To Kenyon and Bramsdean it +was much the same as a trumpet-call to an +old war-horse.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sounds like old times, eh?" remarked +Sir Reginald.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather, sir," agreed Kenyon heartily, +and, at a loss to express himself further, +he relapsed into silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Experimental work, sir?" enquired Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke nodded.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," he replied in level tones. "Experimental +work, that's it. That's why I +sent for you. I'm contemplating a flight +round the world. Keen on having a shot at it?"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-fosterdyke-explains"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id3">CHAPTER II--FOSTERDYKE EXPLAINS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The two chums were not in the least taken +aback with the announcement. They knew +the way of their late O.C. On active service +Fosterdyke was in the habit of issuing +orders for certain operations to be +performed without apparently considering +the magnitude or the danger of the +undertaking. The officer or man to whom the +order was given almost invariably executed +it promptly. In the few cases where +the individual instructed to carry out a +"stunt" failed to rise to the occasion, that +was an end of him as far as his service +under Wing Commander Sir Reginald +Fosterdyke went. Fosterdyke had no use +for faint-hearted subordinates.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the other hand, Kenyon and Bramsdean +were astonished at being invited to +take part in what promised to be the +biggest aerial undertaking ever +contemplated. After nearly two years "on the +ground" the prospect of "going up" +seemed too good to be true.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Business difficulties, perhaps?" +hazarded Fosterdyke, noting the faint signs +of hesitation on the part of the two chums. +"Think it over. But I suppose you'd +like to have a few particulars of the stunt +before committing yourselves?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think it could be arranged, sir," +replied Kenyon. "As regards our little show, +we could leave it to our head foreman. +He's a steady-going fellow and all that sort +of thing. It's merely a question of a +month, I suppose?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Less than that. Twenty days, to give a +time limit," declared the baronet. "Either +twenty days or--<em class="italics">phut</em>! However, I'll +outline the salient features of the scheme.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Like a good many others, it arose out +of an almost trivial incident--a bet with +an American Air Staff officer whom I met +in London just after the Yankee seaplane +NC4 flew across the Atlantic--or rather +hopped across. Without detracting from +the merits of the stupendous undertaking, +it must be remembered that the seaplane +was escorted the whole way, and alighted +several times <em class="italics">en route</em>. The Yankee--General +U. B. Outed is his name--offered to +bet anyone $50,000 that an American +aircraft would be the first to circumnavigate +the globe.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Half a dozen of us took him on; not +that we could afford to throw away an +equivalent to ten thousand pounds, but +because we had sufficient faith in the Old +Country to feel assured that the accomplishment +of a flight round the world would be +the work of a British owned and flown machine.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shortly after the wager was accepted +came the news that R34 had flown from +East Fortune to New York in 108 hours, +making the return journey in 76 hours. +That rather staggered General Outed, I +fancy, and he had a greater shock when +Alcock and Brown covered nearly 2,000 +miles between Newfoundland and Ireland +without a single stop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Things from a British aviation point +of view looked particularly rosy; then for +some obscure reason our Air Board appeared +to let the whole matter of aerial navigation +slide, or, at any rate they gave no encouragement. +The big dirigibles were dismantled +and sold; powerful aeroplanes were +scrapped, air-stations were closed, and in a +parsimonious wave of retrenchment even +our old Royal Air Force was threatened +with ignominious relegation to a corps under +the control of the War Office.</p> +<p class="pnext">"About three months ago a wealthy +Swiss--a M. Chauvasse--who had made a +pile in the United States, offered a prize +to the value in British money of £25,000 +to be given to the first airman to +circumnavigate the globe, either in a lighter or a +heavier than air machine. The prize is +open to all comers, and already a Yankee +and a German have announced their +intention of competing."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A Hun!" exclaimed Kenyon. "I +thought that Fritz, under the terms of the +armistice, had to surrender all his aircraft."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But he hasn't," remarked Fosterdyke, +drily. "Nor is he likely to; and if the +Allies haven't the means to enforce the +terms, that's not my affair. If a Hun does +compete, let him. That's my view. +Providing he doesn't resort to any of his dirty +tricks, there's no valid reason why the door +should be banged in his face. Because he's +down and out is no reason why we should +continue to sit on him. Commercially, I +regard German goods as a means to reduce +the present extortionate prices of things in +England. I'm no believer in dumping, I +never was; but if our manufacturers +cannot compete with the products of a country +beaten in war and torn by internal troubles, +then there's something wrong somewhere. +But I am digressing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Briefly, the terms of the contest are as +follows: any type of machine or engine +can be employed, and as many descents +as are necessary to replenish fuel and stores. +A start can be made from any place chosen +by the competitor, but the machine must +finish at the same spot within twenty days. +Again, any route can be chosen, so that full +advantage can be taken of existing air +stations, but--and this is a vital point--in +order to fairly circumnavigate the globe, +competitors must pass within one degree +of a position immediately opposite the +starting-point. Do you follow me?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is known in navigation as Great +Circle Sailing," replied Bramsdean. "If a +start is made somewhere on the 50th +parallel North, the halfway time will be +somewhere 50 degrees South, with a +difference of 180 degrees of longitude."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's it," agreed Sir Reginald. "Now +the difficulty arises where to find two +suitable places answering to these +conditions. With the exception of a small part +of Cornwall the whole of Great Britain lies +north of latitude 50.... Therefore, to +reach the 50th parallel in the Southern +Hemisphere would mean making a position +far south'ard of New Zealand--where, I +take it, there are no facilities for landing +and taking in petrol.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nor is the vast extent of the United +States any better off in that respect. I +think I am right in saying that there is +no habitable land diametrically opposite to +any place in Uncle Sam's Republic."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke produced a small globe from +a corner of the room in order to confirm his +statement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And the old Boche is a jolly sight worse +off," said Kenyon. "I don't suppose any +British Dominion will tolerate him. It's +certain he won't be allowed to fly over any +Allied fortress, so where is he?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Paying the penalty for his misdeeds," +replied Sir Reginald, grimly. "It's not +exactly a case of <em class="italics">vae victis</em>. If he'd played +his game, he would have taken his licking +with a better grace because it wouldn't +have hurt him so much."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many competitors are there for +the Chauvasse Stakes, sir?" asked Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A Yank, a Hun, and myself," replied +Fosterdyke. "That is, up to the present. +For some reason the idea hasn't caught on +with our fellows. Probably there'll be a +rush of entries later on--perhaps too late. +I'll show you my little craft; but before doing +so I'll give you a few details of the contest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My idea is to start from Gibraltar--for +the actual race, of course. I'll have to +take my airship there, but that's a mere +detail. Why Gibraltar? Here's an +encyclopædia, Kenyon. Look up the position +of Gib."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lat. 36° 6' N.; long. 5° 21' W.," +replied Kenyon, after consulting the work.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And the antipodes of Gib. would be +lat. 36° 6' S.; long. 174° 39' E.," continued the +baronet. "The longitude, of course, being +easily determined by adding 180 to that of +Gibraltar. Now the next thing to be done +(as a matter of fact I've determined it +already) is to find a habitable spot +approximating to the second set of figures. Look +up Auckland, Kenyon."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Auckland is lat. 36° 52' S.; +long. 174° 46' E.," replied Kenneth. "Why, +that's less than a degree either way."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Exactly," agreed Fosterdyke. "The +next point is to determine the air route +between the two places, so as to make the +best of the prevailing winds. When one +has to maintain an average speed of fifty +miles an hour for twenty days the +advantage of a following wind cannot be +ignored."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Your 'bus'll do more than that, sir," +remarked Peter Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She'll do two hundred an hour," +declared the baronet, emphatically. "I +haven't had a trial spin yet, but she'll +come up to my expectations. It's the +stops that lower the average. Naturally +I mean to take the east to west course. It +means a saving of twenty-four hours. If +I took the reverse direction, I'd be a day +to the bad on returning to the starting-point. +The actual course I'll have to work +out later. That's where I want expert +assistance. Also I want the aid of a +couple of experienced navigators. And so +that's why I sent for you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're on it," declared both chums.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thought as much," rejoined +Fosterdyke with a smile. "There's one thing I +ought to make clear--the matter of terms."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon made a deprecatory gesture.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not so fast, Kenyon," protested his +chief. "It's a rock-bottom proposition. +Twenty-five per cent. of the prize if we +are successful is your collective share. If +we fail, then I'm broke--absolutely. I've +sunk my last penny into the concern, +because I'm hanged if I'm going to sit still +and let a foreigner be the first to make an +aerial circumnavigation of the globe. Now +let me introduce you to the airship 'Golden Hind.'"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-the-golden-hind"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id4">CHAPTER III--THE "GOLDEN HIND"</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Appropriate name the 'Golden Hind,'" +remarked Bramsdean, as the three +ex-R.A.F. officers made their way towards the +concealed hangar. "That's what Drake's ship +was called, and he was the first Englishman +to circumnavigate the world."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," replied Fosterdyke. "We must +take it as an augury that this 'Golden Hind' +will do in the air what her namesake did +on the sea."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not in every respect, I hope," said +Kenneth Kenyon, with a laugh. "Drake +did a considerable amount of filibustering +on his voyage, I believe."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, yes," answered Sir Reginald. +"Those were good old days. Now left," +he added. "Mind yourselves, the brambles +are a bit dangerous."</p> +<p class="pnext">Turning off the grass-grown road and +down a side path, the two chums found +themselves entering a dense thicket that formed +an outer fringe of the pine wood.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Short cut," remarked Fosterdyke, +laconically. "Now, there you are."</p> +<p class="pnext">A glade in the woods revealed the end +of a lofty corrugated iron shed, the hangar +in which the "Golden Hind" was fast +approaching completion. The baronet +"knew his way about." He knew how to +deal with the dictatorial and often +completely muddled officials who ran the Surplus +Disposals Board, and had succeeded in +obtaining, at a comparatively low cost, a +practically new airship shed, together with +an enormous quantity of material.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now tell me what you think of her," +he said, throwing open a small door in the +rear end of the building.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon and Bramsdean paused in +astonishment at what they saw. The "Golden +Hind" was neither airship nor aeroplane in +the strict sense of the word, but a hybrid +embodying the salient features of both. +The fuselage, constructed almost entirely of +aluminium, was a full 120 feet in length, and +enclosed so as to form a series of cabins or +compartments. Amidships these attained +a beam of 15 feet, tapering fore and aft +until the end compartments terminated in a +sharp wedge. Wherever there were observation +windows they were "glazed" with light +but tough fire-proof celluloid, sufficiently +strong to withstand wind-pressure.</p> +<p class="pnext">On either side of the hull, as Fosterdyke +termed it, were six planes arranged in pairs, +each being 30 feet in fore and aft direction, +and projecting 25 feet from the side of the +fuselage. Thus the total breadth of the +"Golden Hind" was well under 60 feet. On +angle brackets rising obliquely from the +fuselage were six large aluminium propellers, +chain-driven by means of six 350-h.p. motors.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Some power there," remarked Kenyon, +enthusiastically.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather," agreed Sir Reginald. "Sufficient +to lift her independently of the gas-bag, +while in the unlikely event of the motors +giving out there is enough lifting power in +the envelope to keep her up for an indefinite +period. Did you notice the small propellers +in the wake of the large ones?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," replied Bramsdean. "Left-handed blades."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Precisely," agreed Fosterdyke. "They +work on the same shaft, only in a reverse +direction. It's a little stunt of mine to +utilise the eddies in the wake of the main +propellers. Yes, petrol-driven. I tried to +find an ideal fuel, one that is non-inflammable +or practically so, except in compression; +but that's done me so far. There's a huge +fortune awaiting the chemist who succeeds +in producing a liquid capable of conforming +to these conditions. I even made a +cordite-fired motor once--something on the +Maxim-gun principle, fed by cordite grains from a +hopper. It did splendidly as far as developing +power was concerned, but the difficulty +of excessive consumption and the pitting of +the walls of the cylinder did me. However, +my experiments haven't all been failures. +Now look at the gas-bag."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's only partly inflated," observed Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, fully," corrected Fosterdyke. "The +envelope is a rigid one of aluminium, +subdivided into forty-nine compartments, each +of which contains a flexible ballonet. Each +ballonet is theoretically proof against +leakage--in practice there is an almost +inappreciable porosity, which hardly counts for a +comparatively short period, say a month. +The gas isn't hydrogen, nor is it the helium +we used during the war. Helium, although +practically non-inflammable, is heavier than +hydrogen. Fortunately, I hit upon a rather +smart youngster who had been in a +Government laboratory before he joined the R.A.F. +With his assistance I discovered a gas that +is not only lighter than hydrogen, but is as +non-inflammable as helium. I've named +the stuff 'Brodium,' after the youngster +who helped me so efficaciously. When this +stunt's over, we're going to work the gas on +a commercial basis, but for the present it's +advisable to keep it a secret.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You observe that the section of the +envelope is far from being circular. The +horizontal diameter is three-and-a-half times +that of the vertical. That gives less surface +for a side wind, and consequently less drift, +while the 'cod's head and mackerel tail' +ought to give a perfect stream-line."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You carry a pretty stiff lot of fuel with +those motors," remarked Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather," was the reply. "Enough for +5000 miles; which means, allowing for +deviations from a straight uniform course, +about six halts to replenish petrol tanks. +We carry no water ballast of any description. +When the fuel supply runs low, there is a +tendency for the airship to rise, owing to +the reduced weight. To counteract this, a +certain quantity of brodium is exhausted +from the ballonets into cast-iron cylinders, +where it is stored under pressure until +required again. The leakage during this +operation is less than one-half per cent. +Now we'll get on board."</p> +<p class="pnext">Past groups of busy workmen the three +ex-officers made their way. Both Kenyon +and Bramsdean noticed that the men +worked as if they had an interest in what +they were doing. Several they recognised +as being in the same "Flight" in which +they had served on the other side of the Channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Like old times," said Kenyon in a low voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather, old son," agreed his chum.</p> +<p class="pnext">They boarded the "Golden Hind," where +workmen were putting finishing touches to +the interior decorations of the cabins. The +floor was composed of rigid aluminium plates, +corrugated in order to provide a firm +foothold, and temporarily covered with sacking +to prevent undue wear upon the relatively +soft metal.</p> +<p class="pnext">The door--one of the four--by which they +entered was on the port side aft. It opened +into a saloon 20 feet by 7 feet, which in +turn communicated with a fore-and-aft +alley-way extending almost the extreme length +of the fuselage.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll start right aft and work for'ard," +said Fosterdyke. "If you can suggest any +alterations in the internal fittings, let me +know. It often happens that a new arrival +spots something that the original designer +has overlooked."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Must have taken some thinking out, +sir," remarked Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"M'yes," agreed Sir Reginald. "I'm +afraid I spent some sleepless nights over +the business. This is my cabin."</p> +<p class="pnext">The chums found themselves in a +compartment measuring 15 feet in a fore-and-aft +direction and 10 feet across the for'ard +bulkhead, the width diminishing to the +rounded end of the nacelle. It was plainly +furnished. A canvas cot, a folding table, +and two camp chairs comprising the principal +contents. The large windows with celluloid +panes afforded a wide outlook, while should +the atmospheric conditions be favourable, +the windows opened after the manner of +those in a railway carriage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Retracing their steps, the chums inspected +the motors immediately for'ard of the +owner's cabin. Each was in a compartment +measuring 10 feet by 6 feet, leaving +an uninterrupted alley-way nearly 3 feet in +length between.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The fuel and oil tanks are underneath +the alley-way," Fosterdyke pointed out. +"I'm using pressure-feed in preference to +gravity-feed. It keeps the centre of gravity +lower. What do you think of the engines?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Clinking little motors," replied Kenyon, +enthusiastically, as he studied the spotlessly +clean mechanism with professional interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are six motor rooms, three on +each side," observed the baronet. "I'm +taking twelve motor-mechanics to be on the +safe side. When we are running free, one +man will look after two engines, but in any +case half the number will be off-duty at a +time. Now, this is your cabin."</p> +<p class="pnext">He opened a sliding-door on the port side, +corresponding with the officers' dining-room +on the starboard side. It was a compartment +20 feet by 6 feet 6 inches, with a bunk +at each end running athwartships, and as +plainly furnished as the owner's quarters.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heaps of room," declared Bramsdean, +"and warming apparatus, too."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," replied Fosterdyke, "we had +the exhausts led under the cabins. +Nothing like keeping warm at high altitudes. +Warmth and good food--that's more than +half the battle. See this ladder?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He indicated a metal ladder in the alley-way, +clamped vertically to the outer wall +of the cabin.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Leads through that hatchway," he +continued, "right to the upper surface of +the envelope. There's an observation +platform--useful to take stellar observations +and all that sort of thing. But you won't +find a machine-gun there," he added with +a laugh.</p> +<p class="pnext">Passing between the 'midship pair of +motor-rooms, Fosterdyke halted in a +door-way on the port side.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pantry and kitchen," he remarked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm taking a couple of good cooks. All +the stoves are electrically heated. There's +a dynamo working off the main shaft of +each of the 'midship motors. The +starboard one provides 'juice' for the kitchen; +that on the port generates electricity for +the searchlights and internal lighting. +Underneath are fresh water tanks and dry +provision stores."</p> +<p class="pnext">On the port side corresponding to the +kitchen were the air-mechanics' quarters; +while beyond the for'ard motor room the +alley-way terminated, opening into a triangular +space 30 feet long and 12 feet at its +greatest breadth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The crew's quarters," explained +Fosterdyke. "Ample accommodation for eight +deck-hands and the two cooks. You'll +notice that the head-room is less than +elsewhere. That's because of the +navigation-room overhead."</p> +<p class="pnext">The chums looked upwards at the ceiling. +There was no indication of a hatchway of +any description.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You gain the navigation-room from the +alley-way," explained Sir Reginald, noting +their puzzled glances. "Saves the +inconvenience of disturbing the 'watch below' +by having to pass through their quarters. +Up with you, Kenyon. Thank your lucky +stars you're not a bulky fellow. Mind +your head against that girder."</p> +<p class="pnext">Bramsdean followed his chum, the +baronet bringing up the rear.</p> +<p class="pnext">The combined chart-room and navigation +compartment was spacious in extent, but +considerably congested with an intricate +array of levers, telephones, indicators, +switches, and a compact wireless cabinet. +In the centre was a table with clamps to +hold a large-size chart. Right "in the +eyes of the ship" was a gyroscopic compass, +which, by reason of the needle pointing to +the true, instead of the magnetic, north pole, +greatly simplified steering a course, since +those complicated factors, variation and +deviation, were eliminated. Altimeters, +heeling indicators, barometer, thermometer, +and chronometer, with other scientific +instruments, completed the equipment of +the room, which was in telephonic +communication with every part of the airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the car the three men ascended to +the interior of the envelope, climbing by +means of aluminium rungs bolted to the +flexible shaft. Once inside the rigid +envelope, it was possible to walk the whole +five hundred feet length of the airship along a +narrow platform. From the latter crossways +ran at frequent intervals so that access +could be obtained to any of the ballonets.</p> +<p class="pnext">The interior reeked of the strong but not +obnoxious fumes of the brodium.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Leak somewhere," remarked Kenyon, +sniffing audibly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," agreed Fosterdyke, "one of +the supply pipes gave out this morning; +otherwise you wouldn't know by the sense +of smell that the envelope was fully charged."</p> +<p class="pnext">He struck a match and held it aloft. +It burned with a pale green flame.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wouldn't care to do this with +hydrogen," he remarked. "Non-inflammability +of the gas practically does away with +all risk. When you recall the numerous +accidents to aircraft in the earlier stages of +the war, you will find that in over eighty +per cent. they were caused by combustion. +Of course I'm referring to disasters other +than those caused directly by enemy action. +Now, carry on; up you go ... no, hold +on," he added, as a bell rang shrilly just +above their heads.</p> +<p class="pnext">"One of the workmen coming down," +said Fosterdyke. "Opening a flap at the top +of this shaft automatically rings an alarm, +otherwise anyone ascending might stand +the risk of being kicked on the head by the +feet of someone else descending."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove! I know that chap!" +exclaimed Kenyon, after the mechanic had +descended the long vertical ladder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, it's Flight-sergeant Hayward," +added Bramsdean. "He got the D.C.M. +for downing two Boche 'planes over Bapaume."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's right," agreed the baronet. +"Jolly fine mechanic he is, too. Do you +happen to know how he came to join the +Royal Flying Corps? No; then I'll let +you into a secret. It was in '16 that he +enlisted. Previous to that he was a +conscientious objector, and, I believe, a genuine +one at that. What caused him to change +his opinions was rather remarkable. Do +you remember that Zepp raid over +Lancashire? Hayward was driving a +motor-lorry that night somewhere up in the hills +north of Manchester; a bomb fell in the +road some yards behind him and blew the +back of his lorry to bits. He came off +with a shaking and a changed outlook on +life. Next morning he joined up. Yes, +Hayward's quite a good sort; he's been +invaluable to me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Had any trouble from inquisitive +outsiders, sir?" asked Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, none whatever," replied Fosterdyke. +"Touch wood. People in the village +hereabouts have seen enough aircraft during +the war to take the edge off their curiosity. +As for our rival competitors, well, if they +can pick up a wrinkle or two it will make +the contest even more exciting."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If we succeed there'll be a stir," said +Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," agreed the baronet; "it's the +first who scores in these undertakings. +See what a fuss was made when the +Atlantic was first flown by aeroplanes. If +the feat were repeated, not a fraction of +public interest would be directed to it. +The novelty has gone, as it were. Even +interest in the flight to Australia--in itself +an epic of courage, skill, and determination--was +limited. Sensations of yesterday +become mediocrities of to-day. For instance +Blériot's flight from France to England: +see what an outburst of excitement that +caused. Since then thousands of machines +have crossed the Channel without exciting +comment. Now I think I've shown you +everything that is to be seen. How about lunch?"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-the-departure"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV--THE DEPARTURE</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Will next Monday suit you fellows to +take on officially?" enquired Fosterdyke, +as the chums prepared to depart. "I want +a trial flight on that day, and if it proves +satisfactory, I'll make a formal entry at +once. M. Chauvasse stipulates that all +entries must reach him in writing by noon +on the thirtieth. That leaves us with only +eight days clear."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Monday it is, sir," replied Kenyon, +promptly. "We'll have everything fixed +up as far as our private business is +concerned before then. In fact, we could +arrange to join earlier--couldn't we, Peter?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter Bramsdean signified his agreement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hardly necessary," observed Fosterdyke. +"But if anything unforeseen transpires +before then I'll wire you."</p> +<p class="pnext">During the next few days there was much +to be done in "squaring up" the motor +transport work. Notices were issued +stating that the principals, Messrs. Kenyon +and Bramsdean, would be away for six +weeks, during which time all orders could +be safely entrusted to their works manager. +Even that individual had no inkling of +the nature of his employers' forthcoming +absence. The secret, jealously guarded, +had not yet leaked out.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the other hand, the Press published a +report of M. Chauvasse's offer and stated +that three entries other than British had +been received. The lack of enterprise on +the part of British airmen was commented +upon and an appeal issued to sportsmen to +make an effort to prevent yet another +record passing into the hands of foreigners.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the day following this journalistic +jeremiad came the report that a British +airship of unique design was approaching +completion at a private aerodrome near +Blandford, and that the Air Ministry had +given instructions for all facilities to be +afforded to its crew in their attempt to +circumnavigate the globe within a space of +twenty days. Details, both erroneous and +exaggerated, were given of the mysterious +airship, together with plans that were as +unlike those of the "Golden Hind" as +those of a modern dreadnought would be +compared with those of Drake's famous ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That will rattle the Old Man," declared +Kenyon, when he read the announcement.</p> +<p class="pnext">It did. Fosterdyke sent a wire asking +his two assistants to join him at once. That +was on the Friday morning. At 2.30 P.M.--or +in Air Force phraseology 14.30--Kenyon +and Bramsdean arrived at Air Grange, to +find a vast concourse of would-be spectators +congregated round the gates, backing up +the efforts of a knot of persistent Pressmen +who cajoled, bluffed, and argued--all in +vain--with the imperturbable Hayward +and four hefty satellites.</p> +<p class="pnext">The grassy slopes outside the formidable +fence resembled Epsom Downs on Derby +Day. Momentarily motor-cars were +arriving, while at frequent intervals heavily +laden char-a-bancs rumbled up and +discharged their human cargo. Motor-bicycles, +push-bikes, traps and carts added +to the congestion. Thousands of people +arrived on foot--from where goodness only +knows! Hawkers and itinerant purveyors +displayed their wares; photographers, both +amateur and professional, elbowed their way +towards the forbidden ground; while three +brass bands and at least a dozen individual +musicians added to the din. On the +outskirts temporary platforms had been erected, +while hirers of telescopes, field and opera +glasses did a roaring trade, people willingly +paying to gaze at the impenetrable barrier of +fir-trees in the vain hope of catching a +glimpse of the mysterious airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">It took Kenyon and Bramsdean the best +part of an hour to literally force their way +through the throng. By dint of shouting +"Gangway, please," they continued to +make a certain amount of progress until +their arrival, coupled with the ex-sergeant's +efforts to make the crowd stand aside, +attracted the attention of the +representatives of the Press.</p> +<p class="pnext">For five minutes the latter bombarded +the chums with questions, getting +inconsequent replies that put the reporters on +their mettle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If we aren't allowed in, we'll take jolly +good care you won't be," shouted one of +the Press representatives, evidently +mistaking Peter and Kenneth for favoured +spectators.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a rush towards the gates. The +half a dozen policemen assisting Hayward +and his men were almost swept off their +feet. Things looked serious. If Kenyon +and his companion succeeded in getting past +the gate it would only be in the midst of +an excited mob.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just then Sir Reginald Fosterdyke +appeared. Some of the local inhabitants +recognised him, and the report of his +identity quickly spread. So when he raised his +hand to enjoin silence the crowd surging +around the gate ceased its clamour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By preventing my navigating officers +you only defer your own ends," he +exclaimed in ringing tones. "The airship +is not yet ready for flight, nor is she open +to inspection. A trial flight has been +fixed for Monday next. On that day the +aerodrome will be thrown open to public +inspection. And," he added, with a +disarming smile, "there will be no charge for +admission."</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost instantly the demeanour of the +crowd changed. There were calls for cheers +for Sir Reginald Fosterdyke. Someone +started singing: "For he's a jolly good fellow."</p> +<p class="pnext">The baronet turned and hurried away +precipitately. Publicity he hated. +Kenneth and Peter, taking advantage of this +diversion, slipped inside the barrier and +found Fosterdyke awaiting them beyond +the bend of the carriage drive.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good old British public," he exclaimed. +"By Jove! They put the wind up me. I +thought that they would be swarming like +locusts over the 'Golden Hind.' We'll +have to circumvent them. Only last night +some of the crew found a fellow prowling +round the shed. Goodness only knows +what for. He pitched some sort of yarn, +and since we aren't under the Defence of +the Realm Act I couldn't detain him. But +this crowd scares me. We'll get out +to-night, even if we have to drift, and they can +have the run of the place on Monday, as I +promised. But I said nothing about the +airship being here or otherwise. Where's +your kit?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Somewhere between here and Blandford +railway station," replied Peter. "We +saw we'd have our work cut out to force +our way through, so we told the taxi-driver +to take it back to the station. It isn't the +first time we've parted with our kit, eh, +Kenneth?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll send for it when the crowd thins," +decided Sir Reginald. "Now I suppose +you're wondering why I telegraphed for you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"The swarm outside offers a solution," said Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To a certain extent, yes," agreed +Fosterdyke. "Apart from that, there's a reliable +report that Captain Theodore Nye, of the +United States Army, is starting from Tampa, +Florida, to-morrow in one of the large +airships of the 'R' type that the Air Ministry +sold to America recently. That forces our +hand. We'll have to be at the +starting-point--1100 miles away--by to-morrow +mid-day, so as to replenish petrol and commence +the competition flight before midnight."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And how about the Boche, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Count Karl von Sinzig? Not a word. +He's apparently out of it. Not even one +of the 'also rans.' Our formidable rivals +are the Yankee and a Jap--a Count Hyashi--who +will reach his Nadir somewhere in +Uruguay. Let 'em all come--the more +the merrier."</p> +<p class="pnext">All hands, including the workmen and +mechanics who were not participating in the +voyage, assembled in the large dining-hall +for an impromptu farewell dinner, and to +them the baronet broached the subject of the +hurried departure of the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">The meal over, the task of getting the +huge airship out of her shed began. Even +though the wind was light the work was by +no means simple. Incautious handling or +a sudden change in the direction of the air +currents might easily result in disaster. +The operation had to be carried out after +sunset and with the minimum of artificial +light, since, for the present, the "Golden +Hind's" departure was to be kept secret.</p> +<p class="pnext">With her ballonets charged sufficiently +to give her a slight lift, the airship rose +until the base of the fuselage was a bare +three feet from the ground. The crew +were at their stations, Kenyon assisting +Fosterdyke in the wheelhouse, while right +aft Peter Bramsdean directed the +movements of the "ground-men" holding the +stern, securing, and trailing ropes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Inch by inch, foot by foot, the leviathan +of the air emerged from the shed until her +entire length, straining gently at the rope +that tethered her to mother earth, lay +exposed to the starlit sky.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All clear, sir!" reported Bramsdean +through a speaking-tube.</p> +<p class="pnext">Curt but precise orders rang out from the +navigation-room. The slight hiss of the +brodium being released from the metal +cylinders was barely audible above the +sighing of the wind in the pine-tops until +the gauges registering the "lift" of the +airship indicated thirty-eight tons.</p> +<p class="pnext">Armed with a megaphone, Fosterdyke +leant out of the window of the navigation-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All ready? ... Let go!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously the twenty men holding +the airship released their hold. That was +where training and discipline told, for +terrible to contemplate would have been +the fate of an unwary "ground-man" had +he retained his grip on the rope. But +without an accident to mar the momentous +event, the "Golden Hind" shot almost +vertically into the air, attaining in a very +short space of time an altitude of six +thousand feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a cheer rang out to speed the +departing competitor for the stupendous contest. +Unheard and unseen save by the loyal band +of helpers at the aerodrome, Sir Reginald +Fosterdyke's airship was on her way to the +starting-point of her voyage round the globe.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-first-away"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id6">CHAPTER V--FIRST AWAY</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Hanging apparently motionless in still air, +although virtually she was drifting in a +southerly direction at a modest ten miles +an hour, the "Golden Hind" maintained +her altitude for the best part of half an +hour before any attempt was made to start +the motors. She was now to all intents +and purposes a non-dirigible balloon, +floating aimlessly in the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter Bramsdean, his work aft +accomplished, made his way to the +navigation-room, where he found the baronet and +Kenyon watching the galaxy of lights far +beneath them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're drifting over Poole Harbour," +observed Fosterdyke. "That's prohibited +for private owned aircraft; but who's to know?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I often wonder what would happen," +said Peter, "if a non-dirigible drifted over +a prohibited area. Hang it all! The +balloonist couldn't control the wind, neither +can the Air Ministry, so what's the poor +fellow to do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">From their lofty post of observation the +officers of the "Golden Hind" could see +the coast-line standing out distinctly in the +starlight. Away to the south-east the +powerful St. Catherine's Light threw its +beam athwart the sky in a succession of +flashes every five seconds. Nearer, but less +distinct, could be seen the distinctive lights +of The Needles and Hurst Castle. Then a +curved line of glittering pin-points--the +esplanade lamps of Bournemouth. To the +south-west the lesser glare of Swanage and +beyond the glow of Anvil Point Lighthouse. +Lesser lights, like myriads of glow-worms, +denoted scattered towns, villages, and +detached houses ashore, while right ahead +and for the most part visible only by the +aid of binoculars, could be discerned the +red, green, and white navigation lights of +shipping passing up and down the Channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">The three men watched the nocturnal +panorama almost without emotion. The +sight would have moved a novice into +raptures of delight, but to the veteran +airmen there was little new, except perhaps +that in the place of star-shells, searchlights, +"flaming-onions," and exploding shrapnel +were the lights of a nation once more at +peace with her neighbours even if not so +with herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke glanced at a clock set upon +the bulkhead.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Time!" he announced laconically.</p> +<p class="pnext">Indicators clanged in various parts of +the ship. Within a few seconds the six +motors, started by compressed air, were +roaring. Swaying slightly under the +resistance of the gas-bag overhead, the airship +gathered way. In place of complete calm +came the rush and whine of the wind as the +"Golden Hind" leapt forward.</p> +<p class="pnext">"May as well be on the safe side," +remarked Fosterdyke. "Switch on the +navigation lights, Kenyon. I don't fancy +another 'bus barging into us."</p> +<p class="pnext">He gave an order through a voice tube. +Promptly one of the crew appeared from +below.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take her, Taylor," said the skipper, +indicating the helm. "Following +wind--no drift. Course S. ¾ W."</p> +<p class="pnext">"S. ¾ W. it is, sir," repeated the man, +peering into the bowl of the gyroscope compass.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, you bright beauties, take my tip +and turn in," said Fosterdyke, addressing +Peter and Kenneth. "There won't be +much doing to-night, I hope, so you may +as well make the best of things. If you'll +relieve me at four, Kenyon? ... Good."</p> +<p class="pnext">The chums left the navigation-room and +made their way to their cabin. Here, +although adjoining one of the motor-rooms, +there was comparatively little vibration, +but the noise was considerable.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll get used to it," observed Peter, +as he proceeded to unpack his luggage, +which had been brought from Blandford +station and put on board only a few minutes +before the "Golden Hind" parted company +with terra firma. "Seems like old times. +Hanged if I thought I'd ever be up again."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Between ourselves I'd prefer a 'bus," +confided Kenyon. "Doesn't seem quite +the right thing being held up by a gas-bag."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Be thankful for small mercies, you old +blighter!" exclaimed his companion. "Turn +in as sharp as you can, 'cause it's your +watch in four hours' time."</p> +<p class="pnext">It seemed less than ten minutes before +Kenyon was awakened. His first +impression was that he was being roused by +his batman, and that illusion was heightened +by the fact that the man held a cup of tea.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ten to four, sir," announced the +airman. "I've made you something hot."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth thanked the man, drank the tea, +and slipped out of his bunk. He was aware +as he donned his clothes that the "Golden +Hind" was pitching considerably. Peter, +sound asleep, was breathing deeply. There +was a smile on his face; evidently his +dreams were pleasant ones.</p> +<p class="pnext">On his way for'ard Kenyon stopped to +exchange a few words with the air-mechanic +tending the two after motors.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Running like clocks, sir," replied the +man in answer to Kenneth's enquiry. "If +things go on as they are going now, I'm on +a soft job."</p> +<p class="pnext">The first streaks of dawn were showing +in the north-eastern sky as the relieving +pilot clambered up the ladder and gained +the navigation-room. Fosterdyke, busy +with parallel rulers and compass was +bending over a chart.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mornin'," he remarked genially, when +he became aware of the presence of his +relief. "Everything O.K. Doing eighty, +and there's a stiff following wind--force +five. Altitude 5500, course S. ¾ W. +That's the lot, I think. We ought to +be sighting the Spanish coast in another +twenty minutes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke waited until the helmsman +had been relieved, then, giving another +glance ahead, he turned to Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We passed something going in a westerly +direction at 1.15 A.M.," he announced. +"An airship flying fairly low. About 2000, +I should think."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a competitor, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hardly. No one but a born fool would +think of taking a westerly course round the +earth if engaged in a race against time. We +were passing over Belle Isle, on the French +coast, at the time, and it rather puzzled me +why an airship should be proceeding west +from the Biscayan coast."</p> +<p class="pnext">"French patrol, possibly," suggested Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Or a Hun running a cargo of arms and +ammunition to Ireland. I signalled her, +but she didn't reply. Right-o! Carry on."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke went to his cabin, to sleep +like a log. He was one of those fortunate +individuals who can slumber almost +anywhere and at any time, but rarely if ever +did he sleep for more than five hours at a +stretch. Even after a strenuous day's +mental and physical work he would be "as +fresh as paint" after his customary "caulk."</p> +<p class="pnext">Left in the company of the airman at the +helm, Kenyon prepared to accept responsibility +until eight o'clock. He took up his +position at the triplex glass window, the +navigation-room being the only +compartment where celluloid was not employed +for purposes of lighting. It was a weird +sight that met his gaze. Overhead and +projecting from beyond the point of the +nacelle was the blunt nose of the gas-bag, +the port side tinted a rosy red as the +growing light glinted on it, the starboard +side showing dark grey against the sombre +sky. A thousand feet below were rolling +masses of clouds, their nether edges suffused +by dawn. Between the rifts in the bank +of vapour was apparently a black, +unfathomable void, for as yet the first signs +of another day were vouchsafed only to +the airman flying far above the surface of +the sea. Already the stars had paled +before the growing light. Wisps of +vapour--clouds on a higher plane to the denser +ones below--were trailing athwart the +course of the "Golden Hind," until, +overtaken by the airship's high speed, they were +parted asunder, to follow in the eddying +wake of the powerful propellers.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the navigation-room, being placed +right for'ard, the jerky motion of the +fuselage that was noticeable in Kenyon's +cabin was greatly exaggerated. It was a +totally different sensation from being in an +aeroplane when the 'bus entered a "pocket." It +reminded Kenyon of a lift being +alternately started up and down with only a +brief interval between. Rather vaguely the +pilot wondered what he would be like at +the end of twenty-one days of this sort of thing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bucking a bit, isn't she, Thompson?" +he remarked to the helmsman, who, +relieved of the responsibility of maintaining +a constant altitude by the fact that the +airship was automatically controlled in +that direction, was merely keeping the +vessel on her compass course.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," replied the man. "She'll +be steadier when we trim the planes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Might have thought of that before," +soliloquised Kenyon. He remarked that +the six "wings" were secured in a +horizontal position. For the present the +"Golden Hind" was kept up solely by the +lift of the brodium in the ballonets. Not +until it was fully light would Fosterdyke +reduce the gas in the ballonets and rely +upon the planes for "lift."</p> +<p class="pnext">A quarter of an hour later, while Kenyon +was engaged in making an entry in the log, +the helmsman reported land ahead.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind" was approaching +the Spanish coast, not in the hostile way +in which her namesake did, but on a +friendly voyage across a country that, if +not exactly an ally, is bound by strong ties +to Great Britain.</p> +<p class="pnext">The airship was soon passing over +Santander. Ahead the Cantabrian +Mountains reared themselves so high in the air +that the "Golden Hind" had to ascend +another three thousand feet to ensure an +easy crossing.</p> +<p class="pnext">At eight o'clock Fosterdyke appeared in +the navigation-room. Under his orders the +airship's speed had been sensibly +diminished. He intended to put to a practical +test the lifting powers of the six planes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Close behind him came Bramsdean, on +whom the duties of officer of the watch +devolved for the next four hours.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, old bird," he observed, genially +addressing his chum. "How goes it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fresh as paint," replied Kenyon, "but +as hungry as a hunter."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then hook it," continued Peter. "The +cook's dished up a sumptuous breakfast."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon made a hurried but ample meal. +He was anxious to see how the "Golden +Hind" manoeuvred as an aeroplane.</p> +<p class="pnext">Upon returning to the navigation-room +he found that the six comparatively small +wings were being tilted to an effective angle, +while a large quantity of brodium was being +exhausted from the alternate ballonets +into the pressure-flasks, until there was +only enough "lift" remaining in the +envelope to prevent it dropping earthwards +and thus disturbing the stability of the +fuselage by acting as top-hamper.</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously instructions were +telegraphed to the air mechanics standing by +the six motors to increase the number of +revolutions.</p> +<p class="pnext">The change was instantly appreciable. +No longer did the "Golden Hind" pitch. +She settled down to a rapid, steady motion, +her speed being not far short of 150 miles an hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No ailerons," explained Fosterdyke. +"Horizontal and vertical rudders only. +Saves a lot of trouble and complication of gear."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stunts not permissible, sir?" asked Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," he replied. "They are not. +We're out to do something definite, not to +let the Spanish have an exhibition of an +airship making a spinning nose-dive or +looping the loop. But we'll do a volplane, just +to test the gliding powers of the 'bus."</p> +<p class="pnext">He touched a switch by which a warning +bell rang in each of the motor rooms. This +was to inform the mechanics that the electric +current would be simultaneously cut off +from the six motors, so that there would be +no need on their part to endeavour to locate +faults that did not exist.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Cut out!" ordered Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bramsdean promptly depressed a small +switch by the side of the indicator-board. +This automatically cut off the ignition. +The propellers made a few more "revs." and +then came to a standstill. In almost +absolute silence, save for the whine of the +wind in the struts and tension wires the +"Golden Hind" began her long, oblique +glide earthward.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly Kenyon gripped the baronet's arm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look!" he exclaimed. "Airship!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke did as requested. The +"Golden Hind" was manoeuvring high +above La Mancha, the undulating +well-watered plain between the Montes del +Toledo and the Sierra Morena. Six +thousand feet beneath the airship the town of +Ciudad Real glinted in the slanting rays of +the morning sun.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our shadow--that's all," declared +Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, not that," protested Kenneth. +"More to the left."</p> +<p class="pnext">He grasped a pair of binoculars and +looked at the object that had attracted his +attention. It was a somewhat difficult +matter, owing to the refraction of the triplex +glass in front of the navigation-room, +where, in contrast to the rest of the +windows, fire-proofed celluloid had not been +employed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Kenyon had got the airship in +focus the baronet had also spotted it. +Apparently it had just left its shed and +was heading in a south-easterly direction, +differing a good four points from that +followed by the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" exclaimed Kenyon. "It's +a Fritz! I can spot the black crosses on +the envelope."</p> +<p class="pnext">"In that case," added Fosterdyke, +calmly, "Count Karl von Sinzig has +stolen a march on us. He's one up!"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-z64-scores"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI--Z64 SCORES</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Count Karl von Sinzig was certainly the +"first away." Typically Teutonic, he had +succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of +his rivals. Acting upon the principle +"Do others or they'll do you," he was +leaving no stone unturned to pull off the +big prize; and, figuratively speaking, a +good many of the stones were too dirty +for a clean sportsman to handle.</p> +<p class="pnext">For one thing von Sinzig had obtained +his airship by fraud, although none of the +other competitors were aware of the fact. +Formerly in the German Air Service, the +count managed to smuggle one of the +Zeppelins out of the shed at Tondern, +taking it by night to an aerodrome in East Prussia.</p> +<p class="pnext">According to the terms of the Peace +Treaty, Germany was to surrender all her +airships. How she evaded the stipulation +is now well known. The Zeppelins at +Tondern and other air stations in Sleswig-Holstein +were destroyed by fire deliberately, +to prevent them falling into the hands +of the Allies. This act of bad faith was +similar to the scuttling of the Hun fleet at +Scapa; and the tardiness of the Allies to +obtain reparation merely encouraged the +Huns to other acts of passive defiance. +But, although the destruction of the airships +was taken as an accepted fact, it was +unknown outside certain Junker circles that +one of the Zeppelins had been removed +before the conflagration.</p> +<p class="pnext">Revolutions and counter-revolutions, in +which the fire-eating von Sinzig had several +narrow escapes from death, led the count +to seek pastures new; and about this time +the publication of M. Chauvasse's terms +for the international contest suggested +to the Junker count the possibility of +making good his financial losses.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gathering a crew of airmen who had had +experience in Zeppelins during the war, +von Sinzig flew the airship to Spain, +crossing Austria and the north of Italy during +the night, and carefully avoiding French +territory on his aerial voyage.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a secluded part of the mountainous +Estremadura he had practically his own +way. The Alcaldes of the nearest +surrounding villages were easily bribed to +leave the mysterious airship and its foreign +owner severely alone. From stores of +German war material "sold" to Spain +von Sinzig obtained gas cylinders, petrol, +spares, and even a baby "Albatross"--a +small yet powerful monoplane. With +folding wings this machine could with ease +be stowed away in the car of the airship. +With German thoroughness the Count, +looking well ahead, foresaw that the Albatross +would probably serve a most useful +purpose in helping him to win the coveted prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">The honour of being the first man to +fly round the world took quite a subsidiary +place in von Sinzig's plans. Since Germany +did not own a square inch of territory +outside Europe, he was compelled to make use +of alien lands in which to alight. That +was a handicap, and the thought of it +rankled. There was some consolation to +be derived from the prospect of wresting +the big prize from a hated Englishman, +a despised Yankee, or a miserable yellow +Jap. And he meant to do it--somehow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already Germans had resumed their +"peaceful penetration" of Great Britain +and the United States. Commercial +travellers, representing German houses and at +the same time potential spies, were able +to ascertain with little difficulty particulars +concerning the British and American +competitors for the Round-the-World Flight. +The moment von Sinzig learnt of the date +of Sir Reginald Fosterdyke's departure +from England, he anticipated the time by +starting the day before the British airship +was supposed to leave Gibraltar.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was a comparatively easy matter. +According to the terms of the contest, +competitors had to obtain a clearance certificate +from an official of the International Airways +Board. Provided the flight were +completed within twenty days of the date of +the certificate the principal condition was +complied with, while it was furthermore +specified that the certificate could be +post-dated to the extent of twelve hours +to allow for the time taken up in transmission +from the Board's representative to the +actual competitor.</p> +<p class="pnext">In von Sinzig's case he scored again. +Employing a swift motor-car, he obtained +the official <em class="italics">visé</em> at Madrid, and was back +at the rendezvous within two and a half +hours, the atrocious roads notwithstanding.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everything was in readiness for the start, +and at ten in the morning Z64 left her shed +and, flying at a comparatively low altitude, +made off in a south-easterly direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">The German was counting on forty-eight +hours' start of his English rival--possibly +more. He had been informed that the +"Golden Hind" proposed leaving England +on the following Monday. Fosterdyke +really meant to have started on that day, +and only the exuberant demonstration of +the crowd outside Air Grange had made him +alter his plans. It was a lucky stroke, for +Fosterdyke's secret intelligence department +was at fault. According to information +received from Germany, Count von Sinzig +was a non-starter. Incidentally it was the +count who had set that rumour afloat. +It was but one of the many petty artifices +upon which he built his hopes of carrying +off the Chauvasse Prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">Chuckling to himself, Count von Sinzig +stood beside the helmsman of Z64, quite in +ignorance of the fact that a few thousand +feet above him was the British airship +which he fondly thought was resting in +her shed in far-off England.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-delays"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII--DELAYS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Avast stunting!" declared Fosterdyke. +"Let's get on with it. Full speed to Gib."</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone on board realised that every +minute was precious. With her six motors +running "all out" the "Golden Hind" +quickly worked up to her maximum speed +of 180 miles an hour. At that rate the +petrol consumption was alarming, but +Fosterdyke faced the fact cheerfully. While +he was obtaining the necessary certificates +and making an official declaration to the +authorities at Gibraltar, the airship could +replenish her somewhat depleted fuel tanks.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Sir Reginald had not taken into +account the vagaries of red tape and petty +officialdom.</p> +<p class="pnext">At 11 A.M. the "Golden Hind" sighted +the historic Rock. Five minutes later she +slowed down and turned head to wind off +the west side of the fortress. With the +assistance of a dockyard mooring-party, +a stout galvanised steel wire was lowered +from the bow compartment of the fuselage +and secured to a large mooring buoy off +the Detached Mole. Then with sufficient +gas in her ballonets to keep her buoyant +the "Golden Hind" floated head to wind +at 50 feet above the Bay of Gibraltar.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost before the mooring operations +were completed the water in the vicinity +was crowded with boats of all sorts, sizes, +and descriptions, while the water-front was +packed with a dense concourse of interested +spectators, representatives of the umpteen +nationalities to be found living on the few +square miles of thickly-populated rock.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing you want ashore, I suppose?" +enquired Fosterdyke as he prepared to +descend a wire ladder, the end of which +was being steadied by a couple of +bluejackets in a picket-boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks, no," replied Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's good," continued the baronet, +fervently. "Hate having to execute +commissions. Not that I don't like obliging +people, but I'm so deucedly forgetful. +Right-o; stand by. I'll be back in less +than a couple of hours, I hope. Come +along, Bramsdean."</p> +<p class="pnext">Agilely Fosterdyke swarmed down the +swaying ladder, followed at a safe distance +by Peter, who carried a parcel of documents +and a Mercator's chart on which the +proposed route was marked for the benefit of +the International Air Committee's +representative and also the "Competent +Military Authorities" of the various garrisons +where the "Golden Hind" was scheduled to land.</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter Bramsdean had plenty of +experience of petty officialdom at the Air +Ministry. He well remembered the +time--running into hours all told--of weary +waiting in draughty corridors until it +pleased certain individuals holding high +places to signify their condescension +(conveyed by a pert damsel in brown overall +and a pigtail tied with an enormous bow) +to receive the insignificant lieutenant.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here it was much the same. The officials +who were considered indispensable in +the matter of signing various documents +were "out to lunch."</p> +<p class="pnext">A look of horrified amazement overspread +the features of the minion to whom +Fosterdyke suggested that time would be +saved by sending for them. The British +Empire might totter; the chance of +winning fame by being the first airman to +fly round the globe be lost; but by no +possibility must such trivial details prevent +officialdom from having its lunch--a +movable feast occupying normally from one +o'clock till three.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hang it all, Bramsdean!" exclaimed +Fosterdyke explosively during one of the +numerous periods of forced inaction. +Clearly the usually unruffled baronet was +showing signs of annoyance. "Hang it +all! It was ever thus. Petty hirelings +whose one idea of efficiency is to raise +obstacles and to quibble over unimportant +details; those are the stumbling blocks. +For twopence I'd cut the cackle and carry on."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And be disqualified at the winning +post," reminded the cautious Peter. +"We're wasting precious time----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It'll be an unofficial competition, then," +declared Fosterdyke. "The honour of +achieving the flight will be enough. The +money prize can go hang. Come along, +let's make tracks."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I vote we look up the Commissioner at +his private quarters," suggested Bramsdean. +"After all, the 'Golden Hind' won't +have refilled her petrol tanks yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Spose not," growled Fosterdyke. +"Someone's illegible signature's required +for the indents, I presume. Right-o, +Bramsdean, let's rout out this indispensable."</p> +<p class="pnext">Somewhat to Peter's surprise the official +was discovered with little difficulty. He +had just finished his lunch, and as the meal +had been a satisfying one, he was in high good humour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So Count von Sinzig has five hours' +start, eh?" remarked the worthy +representative of the International Air Board. +"That's nothing. You'll make that up +easily. The documents? Ah--yes--quite +so. Unfortunately, the seals are in my +office. I'll be along there very shortly."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't your signature enough?" asked the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The great one hesitated. On the one +hand, he wanted to impress his callers by +admitting that his signature was +"absolutely it." On the other, years of +punctilious devotion to the ethics of red tape +urged him to deprecate such a cutting of +the Gordian knot.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, Sir Reginald," he replied. "Both +are necessary. One is not conclusively in +order without the other. I'll be at the +office by three."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now a quarter-past two. Fosterdyke +felt strongly inclined to enquire +pointedly why three-quarters of an hour +would be taken up by the Commissioner in +getting from his quarters to his office.</p> +<p class="pnext">By ten minutes past three the various +documents were sealed and signed. As +the competitors were on the point of +taking their departure the Commissioner +spoke again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't seem to have seen Form 4456," +he observed dryly. "That had to be +obtained before you left England."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It wasn't," replied the baronet, bluntly. +"An oversight, I admit, but you don't +suggest that I return to England to get it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is necessary," was the rejoinder. +"Without it the flight would not be in order. +In fact, as an authorised representative of +the International Air Board I can rule you +out of the contest."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Piffle!" declared Fosterdyke hotly. +He was rapidly nearing the end of his +restraint. "This, I may observe, is a +contest of aircraft, not a paper competition. +Form 4456 is not an absolute essential. +Since you require it, I presume the case +can be met if my representative in +England has the form made out and sent +to you by registered post. It will be in +your hands before the 'Golden Hind' +completes the circuit."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Commissioner consulted a ponderous +tome, chock-a-block with rules and +regulations for aerial navigation, written in +official phraseology so confusing that it +was possible to have more than one +interpretation for at least seventy-five per +cent. of the complicated paragraphs.</p> +<p class="pnext">Quoting Article 1071, sub-section 3c, +the official made the discovery that the +rendering of Form 4456 could be dispensed +with in circumstances laid down in Article +2074, section 5c, etc., etc. Thereupon he +rang a bell, summoned a head clerk, who in +turn deputed a junior to fetch a certain +form. When this was forthcoming a blob +of sealing-wax, the impress of a seal, and +the great man's illegible signature, and the +trick was done. As far as the International +Air Board was concerned the "Golden +Hind" was a recognised and duly authorised +competitor for the Chauvasse Prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was still the Recognised Military +Authority to be dealt with. That official +was urbanity personified. He did +everything in his power to expedite matters, but +red tape was stronger than gold lace.</p> +<p class="pnext">The loud report of a gun warned +Fosterdyke and his companion that sunset had +descended upon the Rock. The gates of +the fortress were closed till sunrise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Won't affect you," explained the +courteous official. "You can get back +by the boat from the Old Mole. I won't +keep you very much longer. It really isn't +my fault."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Gibraltar was a bad choice of mine for +a starting-point," observed Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Fraid so," agreed the other. "Ah, +here we are. Thank you, Wilson. Where's +my fountain pen? Where's---- Oh, dash +it all, where's everything? ... That's +settled, then. Have a drink before you go? +No? Well, cheerio, and the very best of luck."</p> +<p class="pnext">Armed with the necessary documents, +"sealed, signed, and delivered," Fosterdyke +and Bramsdean found themselves in the +open air. Darkness had already fallen. +It was a good two miles from Little Europa +Point to the Old Mole, and not a vehicle of +any sort was to be seen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tired, hot, and hungry they reached the +spot where a naval pinnace was supposed +to be awaiting them. It was not there. A +message erroneously delivered had sent the +boat back to the dockyard. Not to be +done, Fosterdyke hired a native boat, +paying without demur a villainous-looking +Rock Scorp the excessive sum he demanded.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a quarter of an hour the boat rowed +about while the baronet and his companion +gazed aloft in the hope of spotting the +"Golden Hind" against the dark sky.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She's gone!" declared Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nonsense!" exclaimed Fosterdyke, +irritably. "Why should she?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless in his mind he was convinced +that such was the case.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently the boat ran close to the buoy +to which the airship had been moored. +Both men recognised the buoy by the +number painted on it. No wire rope ran +upwards to an invisible object floating in +the darkness of the night.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unaccountably, mysteriously the "Golden +Hind" had disappeared.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-cast-adrift"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII--CAST ADRIFT</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Enrico Jaures, Spaniard on his father's +side and German on his mother's, with a +dash of almost every other Continental +nation's blood in his veins, lived or rather +existed in a mean dwelling behind the +King's Bastion, on the west side of Gibraltar.</p> +<p class="pnext">Indolent, thriftless, and easy-going on +the one hand, crafty and quarrelsome on +the other, he possessed all the bad points +that characterise the criminal classes of +the two countries where his parents first +saw the light. What he did for a living +and how he earned money was a mystery +even to his polyglot neighbours. Yet, +without being well off, he appeared to be +always "flush" with money.</p> +<p class="pnext">Contrary to the general demeanour of +the Rock Scorps, Enrico Jaures expressed +no astonishment when the "Golden Hind" +appeared over the high ground beyond +Algeciras. He was expecting the airship, +although he had to confess to himself that +she had certainly arrived prematurely. +Evidently this was not according to plan.</p> +<p class="pnext">He sat, smoked innumerable cigarettes, +and thought as deeply as a half-breed +Spaniard can. Twice he got up, yawned, +stretched himself and ambled back to the +house to partake of a meal consisting +principally of olives, garlic, and maize. +Then back he came to his post of vantage +and sat gazing stolidly at the five hundred +feet of inflated gasbag riding easily to her +wire cable, while her crew, bringing the +airship close to the surface, were busily engaged +in pumping up petrol from a tank-lighter.</p> +<p class="pnext">The shadows were lengthening considerably +when a white-robed Moor approached +the reclining Jaures--a dignified, +olive-featured man, wearing a thick black beard +and moustache.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The Englishman has started," observed +the new-comer, speaking in Spanish with a +decidedly guttural accent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That I know," rejoined Enrico.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But not so von Sinzig," continued the +other in a low tone, giving a furtive glance +over his shoulder. "Until he arrives at +Massowah it is doubtful whether he will +know that this English airship is on his +heels. Why is she here so soon?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I know not," replied Jaures. "Two +men landed from her. They went in the +direction of Buena Vista."</p> +<p class="pnext">The pseudo Moor shrugged his shoulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two thousand five hundred pesetas +are awaiting you in the Banqua del Espiritu +at Algeciras, friend Enrico," he said in a low +voice. "Prevent that airship's departure +even for twelve hours and the money will +be paid you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How can I?" asked Jaures, showing +more interest than he had hitherto +displayed. "I cannot place a bomb on board +her, like I did on board the <em class="italics">Henri Artois</em> +at Barcelona."</p> +<p class="pnext">"S'sh! Not so loud," exclaimed the +other warningly. "How you earn the +money is your affair."</p> +<p class="pnext">The supposed Moor passed on, leaving +Enrico Jaures gazing thoughtfully at the +British airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">He sat and pondered until the refuelling +operations were completed and the "Golden +Hind" allowed to rise a hundred feet above +the sea. With the setting of the sun a +gentle breeze sprang up from the nor'east, +causing the hitherto almost motionless +airship to sway as she fretted at her cable.</p> +<p class="pnext">He waited until darkness had settled +upon the scene, then once more made his +way into the house. This time he did not +eat, but fortified himself with a long drink +out of an earthenware bottle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Drawing his knife, he carefully oiled the +blade and replaced it in its sheath. Then, +having selected a marline-spike from a tool +box, he slung the implement from his neck +by means of a lanyard, hiding it under +his coloured shirt.</p> +<p class="pnext">These preparations completed, he walked +slowly and unconcernedly to the Old Mole.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the water-front was almost +deserted. A patrol marched stolidly down +the street; Enrico stepped into the shelter +of a narrow courtyard until the khaki-clad +party had disappeared; but before he could +resume he had to await the passing of a +gaitered and belted naval picquet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The coast cleared, he reached the Mole. +A tramp steamer and a few feluccas were +moored alongside. Farther out a tug was +engaged in shepherding a couple of large +lighters alongside an East-bound liner, while +changing red, white, and green lights +betokened the presence of swift-moving +steamboats in the bay. Standing out +against the faint starlight he could discern +the "Golden Hind." Even as he looked +a gleam of light shot through the +windows of one of the compartments, and +then another, both being almost instantly +screened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two thousand five hundred pesetas," +whispered Jaures to himself. "A good +price for a little swim."</p> +<p class="pnext">Without troubling to remove any of his +clothes, although he kicked off his canvas +shoes, Enrico cautiously descended a flight +of steps until his feet touched the water. +Listening to assure himself that no one was +about, he glided in as noiselessly as an eel, +and swam with slow, steady strokes under +the counter of the tramp and close to her +wall sides until he gained her bows.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking his bearings of the airship's +mooring-buoy, he resumed his easy progress +cautiously lest feathers of phosphorescent +spray should betray his presence.</p> +<p class="pnext">A quarter of an hour's swim brought him +up to the mooring-buoy. With considerable +difficulty, for the large barrel-shaped +buoy was coated with barnacles and slippery +with seaweed, Enrico contrived to draw +himself clear of the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again he waited, listening to the sounds +emanating from the airship a hundred or +a hundred and fifty feet overhead. The +wire hawser, acting as a conductor, enabled +him to hear with great distinctness, and +possessing a good knowledge of English +he was able to pick up scraps of conversation +between the crew. That helped him +but little, for they were talking of matters +as remote from the topic of the great race +as the Poles.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico Jaures next devoted his attention +to the shackle that secured the thimble +spliced in the end of the cable to the big +ring bolt of the buoy.</p> +<p class="pnext">He grunted with satisfaction when he +discovered that the shackle was threaded +and not secured by a forelock, but at the +same time he found by the sense of touch +that whoever had been responsible for the +job had done his work well by securing the +pin by means of a piece of flexible wire.</p> +<p class="pnext">This latter Jaures managed to cast loose, +then, with the aid of his marline-spike, he +began to unfasten the shackle-pin, pausing +occasionally as the strain on the wire rope +increased.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last the deed was accomplished. The +shackle-pin clattered upon the rounded +surface of the buoy and rebounded into +the water; but almost simultaneously +Enrico Jaures found himself being whisked +aloft. A snap-hook at the end of a wire +had caught in his belt, and there he was, +suspended ignominiously like a horse being +slung on board a ship, already a hundred +feet or more above the surface of the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">His first impulse was to cut loose his +belt and drop, but a downward glance at +the dark unfathomable void made him +abruptly change his mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">His sole thought was now that of +self-preservation. Fearful lest his leather belt +should break and send him hurtling through +space he clung desperately to the wire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fax below him the lights of Gibraltar +seemed to be gliding past as the freed +airship drifted towards the strait separating +Europe from the African shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was bitterly cold aloft. The keenness +of the rarefied air was intensified by the fact +that his clothes were saturated with salt +water. A numbing pain crept down both +arms. His muscles seemed to be cracking +under the strain, while his fingers closed +round the wire until the nails sunk deep +into his palms.</p> +<p class="pnext">He shouted for help--his voice sounding +more like the yelp of a jackal than that of a +human being. But no response came from +the airship a hundred feet above him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dios!" he exclaimed in agony. "This +is indeed the end."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-the-escapade-of-enrico-jaures"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX--THE ESCAPADE OF ENRICO JAURES</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"What are those blighters doing?" +soliloquised Kenyon for the twentieth time. +"Are they buying the place, or are they +poodle-faking? They ought to have been +back hours ago."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was well after sunset. The "Golden +Hind" had taken in stores and provisions, +and had replenished her fuel and oil tanks. +An anchor watch had been set, and having +"gone the rounds" in order to satisfy +himself that everything was in order +Kenneth Kenyon had gone to his cabin to +write letters that would be sent ashore when +the picket-boat brought off the skipper and +Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">A shrill blast of the voice-tube whistle +made Kenyon hasten across the long narrow +cabin. There was something insistent about +the summons. It was not the discreet +apologetic trill that the look-out man gave +when he wished to report some trivial +incident to the officer of the watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hello!" replied Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're adrift, sir," announced the man, excitedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Telling the look-out to call the +duty-watch, Kenyon replaced the whistle in the +mouth of the voice-tube, struggled into his +leather, fur-lined coat, and hurried to the +navigation-room. As he passed the various +motor-rooms he noticed that the +air-mechanics of the duty-watch were already +at their posts awaiting the order to get the +engines running.</p> +<p class="pnext">Throwing open one of the windows, +Kenyon looked out into the night. There +was no staggering, biting wind. Drifting +with the breeze, the airship was apparently +motionless save for a gently-undulating +movement, but the merest glance served +to corroborate the look-out man's words. +Already the "Golden Hind," having risen +to 6000 feet and still climbing, was well to +the south'ard of Europa Point. He could +see the lighthouse on the south-western +point of the peninsula of Gibraltar steadily +receding as the airship approached the +African coast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon was on the point of telegraphing +for half-speed ahead when he bethought +him of the cable. More than likely, he +decided, the wire rope had parted half-way +between the nose of the fuselage and the +buoy. There was danger in the comparatively +light, springy wire getting foul of the +for'ard propellers. Stranded wire is apt +to play hanky-panky tricks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Get the cable inboard," he ordered. +"Don't use the winch or you won't get the +wire to lie evenly on the reel. Haul it in +by hand."</p> +<p class="pnext">Two of the crew descended to the bow +compartment, which, besides forming a +living-room for the men, contained the +cable winch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Get it in by 'and,' 'e said," remarked +one of the men to his companion. "Blimey! +There ain't 'arf a strain on the blessed +thing. Bear a 'and, chum."</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently one of the men returned to the +navigation-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pardon, sir," he said, saluting, "but +we can't haul the wire in. It's foul of +something. Shall we bring it to the winch, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Foul of something, eh?" echoed +Kenyon. "Does that mean we've hiked +up the blessed mooring-buoy? Switch on +the bow searchlight, Jackson."</p> +<p class="pnext">The order was promptly obeyed, and the +rays of the 10,000 candle-power lamp were +directed vertically downwards.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaning well out of the open window, +Kenyon peered along the glistening length +of tautened cable until parting from the +converging rays of the searchlight it +vanished into space.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two degrees left," ordered Kenneth. +"Good--at that. By Jove! What's that? A man!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Filled with a haunting suspicion that +the suspended body might be that of his +chum Peter, Kenyon felt his heart jump +into his throat; but a second glance, as the +motionless figure slowly revolved at the end +of the cable, relieved Kenneth's mind on +that, score. Still, it was a human being in +dire peril.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heave away handsomely," continued +Kenyon. "Stand by to avast heaving," he added.</p> +<p class="pnext">The orders were communicated to the +hands at the cable-winch. Steadily the +winch-motor clanked away until the word +was passed to "'vast heaving." The +luckless individual at the end of the wire was +now dangling thirty feet below the bows +of the fuselage.</p> +<p class="pnext">It would have been useless to have hauled +him up to the hawse-pipe, because there +would be no means of getting him on board. +The only practical way to reach him was by +lowering a rope from a trap-door on the +underside of the chassis midway between +the two hawse-pipes in the bows.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Kenyon was deftly making +"bowlines on the bight" at the extremities +of two three-inch manilla ropes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Jackson," he said, addressing the +leading hand of the duty-watch, "I'm going +after that chap. Tell off a couple of men +to attend to each of the ropes. If I make +a mess of things and don't get back, keep +the ship head to wind till daylight, and then +make for our former mooring. There'll be +plenty of help available."</p> +<p class="pnext">Adjusting one of the loops under his +arms and another round his legs above his +knees, Kenneth slipped through the narrow +trap-hatch, taking the second rope with +him. It was a weird sensation +dangling in space with about 8000 feet of +empty air between him and land or sea, +for by this time the "Golden Hind" was +probably over the African coast. But +soon the eerie feeling passed and Kenneth, +courageous, cool-headed and accustomed to +dizzy heights, had no thought but for the +work in hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"At that!" he shouted, when he found +himself on the same level with the man he +hoped to rescue. "Take a turn."</p> +<p class="pnext">Ten feet from him was the unconscious +Enrico Jaures. The question now was, +how was that intervening space to be bridged?</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon began to sway his legs after the +manner of a child on a swing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If the rope parts, then it's a case of +'going west' with a vengeance," he +soliloquised grimly. "Christopher! Isn't it +beastly cold?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Momentarily the pendulum-like movement +increased until Kenneth was able to +grip the arm of the unconscious man. As +he did so Enrico's belt, that had hitherto +prevented him from dropping into +space, parted like pack-thread.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a jerk that nearly wrenched the +rescuer's arms from their sockets, the +deadweight of the Scorp almost capsized Kenyon +out of the bow-line. As it was, he was +hanging with his head lower than his feet, +holding on with a grip of iron to Jaures' +arms. Thus hampered, he realised that it +was manifestly impossible to make use of +the second bow-line.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Haul up!" he shouted breathlessly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heavens!" he added. "Can I do it? +Can I hold on long enough?"</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a question that required some +answering. The strain on his muscles, +coupled with the effect of the unexpected +jerk, the numbing cold, and, lastly, his own +position, as he hung practically head +downwards, all told against him. Even in those +moments of peril he found himself thinking +he must present a ludicrous sight to +the watchers in the airship in the dazzling +glare of the searchlight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stick it another half a minute, sir," +shouted a voice. "I'll be with you in a +brace of shakes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Of what happened during the next thirty +long drawn out seconds Kenyon had only +a hazy recollection. He was conscious of +someone bawling in his ear, "Let go, sir; +I've got him all right."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth obeyed mechanically. In any +case he was on the point of relaxing his +grip through sheer inability on the part +of his muscles to respond to his will. The +sudden release of the man he had rescued +resulted in Kenyon regaining a normal +position, and dizzy and utterly exhausted +he was hauled into safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">Someone gave him brandy. The strong +spirit revived him considerably.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's the fellow?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Safe, sir," replied Jackson. "Shall I +carry on?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, please," said Kenneth, faintly, and +with the clang of the telegraph indicator +bells and the rhythmic purr of the motors +borne to his ears he became unconscious.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Enrico Jaures, to all outward +appearances a corpse, had been hauled on +board. One of the crew, observing +Kenneth's plight, had descended by means +of another rope, and had deftly hitched +the end round the Scorp's body, climbing +back hand over hand as unconcernedly as +if he had been walking upstairs in his +cottage in far-off Aberdeen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Like handling frozen mutton," +commented one of the crew as they attended +to the rescued Jaures. "Fine specimen, +ain't he? An' what's he doing with that +there marline-spike, I should like to know. +'Tain't all jonnick, if you ask me."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-under-examination"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id11">CHAPTER X--UNDER EXAMINATION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"I'm all right, I tell you. Hang it all, +can't a fellow know when he's all right?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus Kenyon rather resentfully resisted +all efforts on the part of the men to keep +him in his bunk. He came from an +indomitable stock that never readily admits +defeat, and on this occasion he +steadfastly refused to recognise the fact that +his physical strength had been well-nigh sapped.</p> +<p class="pnext">Donning his leather coat, he made his +way to the navigation-room, staggering +slightly as he passed along the narrow alley-way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wireless message just received, sir," +reported Jackson. "'From T.B.D. <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em> +to 'Golden Hind.' Am proceeding +in search of you. Show position lights. +Will tranship Sir Reginald Fosterdyke and +Mr. Bramsdean as soon as possible. Make +necessary arrangements.' We're steering +N. by W. ¼ W., but we haven't sighted +the destroyer yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very good," concurred Kenyon. "Carry on."</p> +<p class="pnext">He consulted the altimeter and the speed +indicator. The former showed that the +airship had descended to two thousand +feet, and the speed was two thousand +revolutions, or approximately thirty miles +an hour. The "Golden Hind" had by +this time retraced a good portion of her +drift, and was now three or four miles from Ceuta.</p> +<p class="pnext">Ten minutes later a masthead flashing +lamp was seen blinking at a distance of +about six miles. The light came from the +destroyer <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em>, which, pelting along +at twenty-five knots, was on the lookout +for the errant airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth Kenyon was now on his mettle. +For the first time he was in command of a +large airship about to make a descent. As +officer of the watch he had already had +opportunities of observing the handling of +the huge vessel, but now he found himself +confronted with the problem of bringing +her close to the surface of the sea so as +to enable the destroyer to manoeuvre +sufficiently enough to establish direct +communication.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hope I don't make a bog of it," he +soliloquised. "I must admit I feel a bit +rotten after that little jamboree just now. +Still, I'll stick it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Although he was not aware of the fact, +Leading Hand Jackson was keeping a sharp +eye on his superior officer, ready at the +first sign to "take on" should Kenyon's +physical strength fail him.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next ten minutes the greatest +activity prevailed. Gongs were clanging, +crisp orders were issued through various +voice-tubes, gas was being withdrawn from +various ballonets, the motors were +constantly being either accelerated or retarded +according to the conditions demanded. +The white flashing lamp signals were being +exchanged with the T.B.D., which had +now circled sixteen degrees to starboard +and was steaming slowly dead in the eye +of the wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the floor of the bow compartment of +the "Golden Hind" the large trap-hatch +had been opened. Close by crouched men +ready to lower away a wire rope, at the end +of which a small electric bulb glowed to +enable the destroyer's crew to locate the +line in the dark. Throughout the +manoeuvre neither the "Golden Hind" nor +the <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em> made use of their searchlights, +since the dazzling rays might baffle +the respective helmsmen and result in a collision.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly and gracefully the airship dropped +until her fuselage was thirty feet from the +surface of the sea. She was now dead in +the wake of the destroyer, and the task +that confronted Kenyon was to bring her +ahead sufficiently for the bows to overlap +the <em class="italics">Zeebrugge's</em> stern. An error of judgment +at that low height would result in the +airship's bows fouling the destroyer's mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Foot by foot the "Golden Hind" gained +upon the destroyer until a shout from the +latter's deck announced that the wire rope +had been made fast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly the airship's six motors were +declutched. She was now moving merely +under the towing action of the <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em>, +which was forging ahead at a bare four knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the trap-hatch in the airship's +bows a rope-ladder was lowered, its end +being held by a couple of bluejackets on +the T.B.D. Without loss of time Fosterdyke +swarmed up the swaying ladder, and +was followed by Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Cast off, and thank you!" shouted the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All gone," came an answering voice +from the <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em>, followed by a hearty +"Best of luck to you!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Released, the "Golden Hind" leapt a +full five hundred feet into the air before +the propellers began to revolve.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Cheerio, Kenyon!" exclaimed Fosterdyke, +as he joined Kenneth in the +navigation-room. "All's well that ends well, +but you gave me a pretty bad turn. What +happened?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hardly know, sir," replied Kenyon. +"Our wire rope didn't part. Possibly the +shackle on the buoy gave. But we found +a man hanging on the end of the wire."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You did, eh?" exclaimed the baronet, +sharply. "What sort of man?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You'll see him, sir," replied Kenneth. +"He's laid out below."</p> +<p class="pnext">"H'm!" ejaculated Fosterdyke, and +relapsed into silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was deep in thought for some +moments, then turned to Kenyon again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're making an official start in a +few minutes' time," he announced. "We +have to pass over the Rock and display +three red and three white lights to the +official observer on Signal Hill. When we +see a similar signal made from the Rock +that will be the actual starting time. Pass +the word for Jackson to get the lamps in +position."</p> +<p class="pnext">At an altitude of three thousand feet, or +fifteen hundred feet above the summit of +the Rock of Gibraltar, the "Golden +Hind" received her official send-off at +3.35 A.M., eighteen hours after the Hun-owned Z64.</p> +<p class="pnext">Evidently there was not a minute to be +wasted. The contest had developed not +merely into a voyage round the world +within the space of twenty days, but a +race in which the British competitor had +to make good her formidable handicap of +eighteen hours or approximately three +thousand five hundred miles.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the wind abeam on the port side +the "Golden Hind" opened out to one +hundred and forty miles an hour. During +the earlier stages of the race Fosterdyke +rather wisely decided to keep below the +maximum speed, rather than overtax the +motors by running "all out." Within a +few minutes of receiving her official +permit to depart the airship lost sight of +the lights upon the Rock of Gibraltar. +She was now steering E. by S.--a course +that would take her over the northern +part of Algeria and Tunis and within a +few miles of Malta.</p> +<p class="pnext">At 4 A.M. Kenyon, who had modestly +refrained from giving any details of the +part he had taken in the rescue of Enrico +Jaures, and had concealed the fact that he +had been temporarily out of action, was +relieved by Peter Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he turned to go to his cabin Kenneth +saw that the baronet was standing in a +corner of the navigation-room and studying +a nautical almanac.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sleep well, Kenyon," exclaimed Fosterdyke. +"You've some arrears to make up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather, sir," agreed Kenyon. "But +we've forgotten something."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Eh, what?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"That fellow we found hanging on to +the wire rope, we didn't put him on board +the destroyer."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," agreed Fosterdyke, grimly. "We +didn't. I saw to that. Unless I'm much +mistaken our unwanted supernumerary +can and must give us certain information +that will rather astonish us. I'll see him +later on, by Jove!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon nodded knowingly. Evidently +Fosterdyke had learnt something. However, +as far as he, Kenyon, was concerned, +other things of a more pressing nature +demanded his attention--food and sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">At eight o'clock Fosterdyke ordered his +involuntary guest to be brought before him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's something fishy about the +breaking adrift business," he observed to +Bramsdean as the two sat at a table in the +after-cabin awaiting Enrico's appearance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's Jackson? We'll want him. +No, don't disturb Kenyon; he had a +pretty sticky time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"More than you imagine, sir," added +Peter, and proceeded to tell the baronet +the part Kenneth had played in the aerial +rescue of the imperilled Rock Scorpion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Kenyon didn't say a word about it," +he added on the conclusion of the narrative. +"He was as mute as an oyster over it +all. Frampton and Collings told me. It +was----"</p> +<p class="pnext">A knock on the cabin door interrupted +Bramsdean's explanation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come in!" exclaimed Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">In answer to the invitation entered +Leading Hand Jackson, followed in single +file by one of the crew, Enrico Jaures, and +two other members of the "Golden Hind's" company.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Scorp was still labouring under the +effects of his narrow escape. He looked, +to quote Bramsdean's words, "as if the +stuffing had been knocked out of him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke's handling of the situation +was a bold one. Without any preliminaries, +without even asking the fellow's name, +he demanded sternly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"How much did Count Karl von Sinzig +promise you for last night's work?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Jaures gave an involuntary start, but +almost immediately relapsed into his +imperturbably passive attitude. Then with a +slight shrug of his shoulders he replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me no spik Englis."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Try again," said Fosterdyke, +contracting his bushy eyebrows and looking +straight at the man. "All I can say is +that if you don't speak English it's a case +of won't, not can't."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me no spik Englis," reiterated Jaures.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without speaking, Fosterdyke looked +straight at the fellow for a full thirty +seconds. During that period Enrico +attempted three times to meet the searching +gaze of his inquisitor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now!" exclaimed the baronet at length.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico Jaures maintained silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke slowly and deliberately +unstrapped his wristlet watch and placed it +on the table.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I give you thirty seconds," he said in +level tones. "Thirty seconds in which to +make up your mind either to answer or +refuse to answer my question. Might I +remind you that we are now eight thousand +feet above the sea, and it is a long drop. +Jackson, will you please remove that hatch?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course the Old Man was only kiddin'," +remarked Jackson when he related what +had transpired to his companions after the +affair was over; "but, bless me, even I +thought he meant to do the dirty sweep in. +He looked that stern, that it put the wind +up the bloke straight away."</p> +<p class="pnext">Absolutely disciplined, the Leading Hand +obeyed orders promptly. Throwing back +the aluminium cover in the centre of the +cabin floor, he revealed to the gaze of the +thoroughly terrified Jaures a rectangular +opening six feet by four. Far below, +glittering in the sunshine, was the blue +Mediterranean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Five seconds more!" announced +Fosterdyke, calmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of the occupants of the after cabin +Enrico Jaures now seemed to be the least +interested in the proceedings. His furtive +glances had given place to an expression of +lofty detachment, as if he were utterly +bored by the whole transaction. Bramsdean +found himself deciding that either +the fellow was an imbecile or else he was a +past master in the art of dissimulation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Time!" declared Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico Jaures positively beamed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me no spik Englis," he babbled.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sir Reginald eyed the accused sternly, +but even his piercing glance seemed of no +avail. The Rock Scorp continued to smile inanely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take him away," ordered Fosterdyke +with asperity.</p> +<p class="pnext">He waited till the door had closed upon +the involuntary guest, and then gave a +deprecatory shrug.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The fellow's scored this time, Bramsdean," +he remarked, "but I'll get to windward +of him yet."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-with-intent"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI--"WITH INTENT"</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Where are we now?" enquired Kenyon +on returning to the navigation-room to +relieve his chum as officer of the watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now twelve o'clock. Bramsdean +had just "shot the sun" and was reading +off the degrees, minutes, and seconds from +the arc of the sextant.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Almost over Algiers, old thing," he +replied, pointing to the glaring, sun-baked +Algerian coast. "Hark!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He held up his hand and inclined his +head sideways. Above the bass hum of +the aerial propellers came the distant +report of a gun.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Reminds a fellow of old times when +the Archies got busy," remarked Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our friends the French are evidently +treating us to a salute to help us on our +weary way," rejoined Peter. "Goodness +only knows how we are to return it. We +can't give gun for gun."</p> +<p class="pnext">He focussed his glasses on the white +buildings three thousand feet below. The +whole of the water-front of Algiers was +packed with figures with upturned faces--Frenchmen, +Algerines, Arabs, and Nubians--all +frantically waving to the huge airship as +she sped eastwards.</p> +<p class="pnext">In ten minutes the "Golden Hind" had +left the capital of France's African +possessions far astern. Unless anything +untoward occurred, another four hours would +bring her within sight of Malta.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You might cast your eye over the +signal log-book before you take on," +remarked Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon did so. Evidently the wireless +operator had been kept busily employed, +for there were dozens of messages wishing +the "Golden Hind" bon voyage. But +amongst them were two of a different +nature. One announced that an American +airship "Eagle," under the command of +Commodore Theodore Nye, had left Tampa +Town bound for Colon, followed by a +supplementary message that the "Eagle" +had left the Panama Canal zone and was +last sighted flying in a westerly direction. +Making allowance for the difference in New +York and Greenwich times, both the +"Golden Hind" and her Yankee rival had +started practically simultaneously from +their respective points of departure for +the actual race.</p> +<p class="pnext">The second wireless message, +transmitted via Vancouver, Newfoundland, and +Poldu, was to the effect that the "Banzai," +the Japanese quadruplane piloted by Count +Hyashi, had started from Nagasaki at a +speed estimated at two hundred and twenty +miles an hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Artful blighter, that Jap," declared +Bramsdean. "He's kept his design +carefully up his sleeve till the last moment. +We thought he was attempting the flight in +an airship, but he's pinned his faith to a +gigantic quadruplane."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two hundred and twenty miles an +hour, too," added Kenyon. "That means +he'll do the whole trip in less than 120 +hours of actual flying, unless something +goes wrong with his 'bus. My word, some speed!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What I'd like to know is his petrol +consumption, and how much juice does +his 'bus carry," remarked Bramsdean, +thoughtfully. "By Jove! We're up +against something, old son."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By the by, I see there's no news of +Fritz," said Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a word," replied Peter. "Von +Sinzig evidently thinks that it's too early +to start bragging. We'll hear either from +or of him before night. Fosterdyke is +trying to call him up by wireless and tell +him that he has a friend of his on board."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, that greasy merchant!" rejoined +Kenneth. "How did he get on?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Played 'possum," answered Bramsdean. +"Fosterdyke tried to put the wind up him, +but it was a frost. I'd like to know what +he did to the shackle on the mooring-buoy."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You think he cast us adrift?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Without a doubt, old bird."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon shook his head doubtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He might have been simply fishing when +the pin drew and he got whisked aloft," +he suggested. "Did he give his name or +any particulars?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not he," replied Peter. "In fact +he wasn't asked. Fosterdyke went for him +bald-headed and tried to make him admit +that he was in von Sinzig's pay. But +nothin' doin', even when we made out that +we were going to drop him overboard. Well, +cheerio, old thing."</p> +<p class="pnext">Left in charge of the airship, Kenyon +pondered over the problem of whether the +man he had rescued had really been a secret +agent of von Sinzig or otherwise. If he +were, then it would be almost a foregone +conclusion that he spoke German.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth had plenty of time for reflection +during his "trick." The "Golden Hind" +was making good progress. There was +little or no wind, and her drift was in +consequence almost imperceptible; while the +temperature was so constant that there +was no necessity to alter the volume of +brodium in the ballonets for hours at a +stretch. The motors, too, ran like +clockwork, and beyond attending to the +semi-automatic lubricators occasionally, the +air-mechanics on duty had little to do. +Fosterdyke, having paid a brief visit to +the navigating room, retired to his cabin +to make up arrears of sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Might work," soliloquised Kenneth, +reflectively. "I'll tackle Fosterdyke about +it next time I come across him."</p> +<p class="pnext">At four in the afternoon Malta was passed +at a distance of ten miles to the south'ard. +The "Golden Hind" was doing well, +maintaining more than her normal cruising +speed. If she were able to keep on at that +rate she would accomplish the voyage of +circumnavigation well under the twenty +days; but that was now but a secondary +consideration. At all costs von Sinzig's +Z64 must be overhauled.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind's" first stop was at +Alexandria, sixteen hours after leaving +Gibraltar. She made a faultless landing on +sandy spit that separates Lake Mareotis +from the Mediterranean. The time of her +arrival had been notified by wireless, and all +preparations had been made for her +reception. Keenly interested Tommies manned +the trail ropes and secured her firmly to +anchors buried in the sand; lorries laden +with petrol and oil were rushed to the spot, +and the work of refuelling began without +delay. While Fosterdyke and Kenyon were +signing the "control certificate" and +holding an informal reception of almost the +whole of the British Colony at Alexandria, +Bramsdean remained in charge of the airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">In order to keep back the dense crowd, +composed of fellaheen, Copts, Arabs, +Syrians, and representatives of every nation +bordering on the Mediterranean, strong +picquets of British troops were posted +round the tethered airship, no unauthorised +person being permitted to approach within +a hundred yards of the "Golden Hind"; +while to enable the work of refuelling to +proceed as rapidly as possible, the +improvised aerodrome was brilliantly +illuminated by portable searchlights mounted +on motor lorries.</p> +<p class="pnext">It seemed as if it would be impossible for +any suspicious characters to approach the +airship without being detected. Having +once been "bitten," Fosterdyke was not +taking chances in that direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">No attempt had been made to get rid +of Enrico Jaures. Closely watched by a +couple of the crew, he was even permitted to +view the proceedings from an open scuttle +in one of the compartments on the starboard side.</p> +<p class="pnext">When everything was in readiness to +resume the voyage, Fosterdyke and Kenyon +shook hands with their entertainers and +crossed the guarded square. As they +approached the entry port on the starboard +side a dark figure suddenly appeared from +behind an unattended lorry, and at a +distance of ten paces fired half a dozen +shots in rapid succession straight at the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost at the first report Fosterdyke +threw himself at full length upon the sand. +Kenyon, without hesitation, rushed upon +the would-be assassin, while two of the crew, +leaping from the fuselage, promptly seized +the miscreant and deprived him of his +automatic pistol.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hurt, sir?" asked Kenyon, anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a bit of it," replied Sir Reginald +coolly. "That fellow couldn't hit a +haystack at five yards. Bring him along, men."</p> +<p class="pnext">An agitated member of the Egyptian +Civil Service, accompanied by a couple of +staff officers, hurried up, and after making +inquiries and learning that Fosterdyke was +unhurt, suggested, not without good reason, +that the would-be assassin should be handed +over to the civil powers for trial.</p> +<p class="pnext">The baronet airily swept aside the suggestion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sorry, Vansittart," he said; "but I'm +not going to waste precious time appearing +as a prosecutor in this business. No, I'm +not exactly professing to take the law into +my own hands, but I propose taking the +gentleman with me. If he tried to shoot +me, surely I can jolly well kidnap him. +'Tany rate, possession's nine points of the +law. When I've done with him you can +deal with him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But, dash it all, man!" exclaimed one +of the staff officers; "you aren't going +to--to----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hang him? Not much," declared the +baronet. "Return good for evil sort of +thing, you know. Don't get flustered, +Vansittart. He's mine, and we're just off."</p> +<p class="pnext">Happening to glance up as he entered the +fuselage, Fosterdyke caught sight of Enrico +Jaures, who had seen the whole incident +through one of the windows.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Birds of a feather," he soliloquised. +"However, I don't suppose we'll pick up +pals of this sort at every place we touch. +All ready, Kenyon?" he enquired, raising +his voice. "Right-o; let go."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-confidences"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII--CONFIDENCES</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">In one of the store-rooms, the contents of +which had been removed in order to adapt +the place to present requirements, sat Enrico +Jaures and the would-be assassin. They +were under lock and key and had been +unceremoniously bundled into durance vile +without the formality of an introduction.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico was feeling fairly content, in spite +of being a prisoner. After all, he reflected, +nothing had been proved against him. He +had scored in his encounter with the +captain and owner of the British airship, +and, all things considered, he was being +well treated.</p> +<p class="pnext">He made no remark when his new +companion was gently but firmly propelled +through the doorway. The newcomer was +equally reticent; so the ill-assorted +pair--one rigged out in the nondescript garments +of a low-class inhabitant of Gibraltar and +the other in European clothes and a +tarboosh--sat in opposite corners of the +limited space.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the best part of an hour neither spoke. +Occasionally they regarded each other +furtively. Then the gentleman who had +demonstrated so effectively how not to +shoot straight began to slumber. Sitting +on his haunches with his arms clasped +round his bent knees, he nodded his crimson +tarboosh until his head found a rather +uncomfortable resting-place on his clasped hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then in his somnolent condition he began +muttering his wandering sentences, +punctuated with many "Achs!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico listened intently. Hitherto he +had been in ignorance of the motive that +had prompted the would-be murderer. +Now he had enough evidence to form the +conclusion that they both had a motive +in common--to wreck the attempt of the +British competitor to win the Chauvasse Prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless Jaures was of a cautious +disposition, and when his companion +awoke he still maintained his attitude of +aloofness.</p> +<p class="pnext">Breakfast time came. One of the +"Golden Hind's" crew appeared with +quite a substantial meal, and both men +were hungry. The pure, cold air, a striking +contrast to the hot, enervating atmosphere +of Alexandria, had given them an enormous +appetite, and the fact that they had to +share their meals and were not provided +with knives and forks did not trouble them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pass the salt," said Enrico's companion, +speaking in German.</p> +<p class="pnext">Jaures complied without hesitation. The +request was so natural that it took him +completely off his guard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So you do speak German," remarked +the wearer of the tarboosh.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come, come," continued the other. +"Do not say that you cannot. I asked +you for the salt. I was not looking at it, +so that you have no excuse."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jaures swallowed a big chunk of bread +and stole cautiously to the door. For a +few seconds he listened lest there should +be anyone eavesdropping without.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," he admitted. "My mother was +German. But don't speak so loudly."</p> +<p class="pnext">"From what town came she?" enquired +his companion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"From Lubeck," he replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And I come from Immeristadt. I am +a Swabian and my name is Otto Freising," +announced the German. "What are you +doing here?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am not here of my own free will," +said Jaures, guardedly. He was rather +inclined to shut up like an oyster, but his +semi-compatriot was persistent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I suppose these Englishmen will hang +me," remarked Otto. "My one regret +is that I did not succeed in my attempt."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What attempt?" asked Enrico, innocently. +As a matter of fact he knew, having +watched the shooting affray.</p> +<p class="pnext">Otto told him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The trouble is," he added, "I've been +paid for this business. Ten thousand +Egyptian piastres. I have a banker's +order for that amount in my pocket. Will +they search me?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Without a doubt," replied Enrico, +whose knowledge of British criminal courts +was of a first-hand order. "But in a +way you are lucky. You were paid--I +was not. I succeeded--you failed."</p> +<p class="pnext">The German raised his eyebrows, but +forbore to elicit further information +concerning Jaures' motives.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My difficulty," resumed Otto, "is what +I am to do with this banker's order. I +undertook the business because I was +hard up, and should I be hanged or even +imprisoned my family will not benefit +because the money will be confiscated."</p> +<p class="pnext">He paused. Enrico eyed him thoughtfully. +He would willingly rob anybody. +Now was a chance of enriching himself +at the expense of his semi-compatriot.</p> +<p class="pnext">"These English cannot keep me in +captivity much longer," he observed. +"They can prove nothing against me. +When I regain my liberty I propose +paying a visit to my mother's relations in +Lubeck. Perhaps I might be able to render +you a service by handing that draft to +your relatives."</p> +<p class="pnext">Otto showed no great eagerness to close +with the offer. His hesitation increased +his companion's cupidity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rest assured that the money will +eventually reach a safe destination," he +urged enigmatically. "Better even to run +the risk of its being lost than to let it +fall into the hands of these Englishmen."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is so," agreed Otto. "At any +rate I can entrust it in your keeping for +the next few days until I know what they +propose doing with me. You will, of +course, be paid well for your trouble."</p> +<p class="pnext">Enrico waved his hands deprecatingly, +swearing by his patron Saint Enrico of +Guadalajara that it would be a pleasure +and a duty to assist a German in distress.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well, then," agreed Otto, +producing a paper from the double crown +of his tarboosh.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Rock Scorp, craftily concealing his +delight at the success of his plan, took the +document and glanced at the amount +written thereon. As he did so he uttered +an exclamation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dios!" he ejaculated.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?" enquired Otto.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The signature--Hans von Effrich. I +know the man. He was at Barcelona when +the U-boats were busy. I helped him to--"</p> +<p class="pnext">He broke off abruptly, realising, perhaps, +that there were limits to an exchange of +confidences.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Von Effrich--I have never met him," +declared Otto. "All I know is that he is +now an agent for Count Karl von Sinzig."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where is he now?" enquired Jaures.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who?--von Sinzig or von Effrich?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Von Effrich."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He is usually to be found in Corinth," +replied Otto. "Why do you ask?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because he might also pay me what +von Sinzig owes me," replied Enrico. "We +apparently are engaged on similar tasks."</p> +<p class="pnext">"To cripple or delay this airship," added +Otto. "Up to the present we have not +made much of a success of it. My prospects +are not at all bright, but my one hope is +that when we arrive at Singapore von +Blicker will be there. A clever fellow, +von Blicker. I met him at von Effrich's +house just before I left Corinth for +Alexandria--a month ago."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is he going to do?" asked Enrico.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe he'll---- S'sh! someone coming."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-the-tail-of-a-cyclone"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII--THE TAIL OF A CYCLONE</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Hanged if I like the look of things one +little bit," declared Fosterdyke, frankly. +"Glass dropping as quickly as if the bottom +of it had fallen out, and on top of it all we get this."</p> +<p class="pnext">"This" was a wireless from Point de +Galle announcing that a terrific cyclone +was raging west of the Maldive Islands, its +path being a "right-hand circle." That +meant that unless the "Golden Hind" +made a radical alteration of course she +would encounter the full force of the wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the fourth day of the race. The +"Golden Hind" had passed over Socotra +at daybreak and was on her way across the +Arabian Sea, her next scheduled +landing-place being Colombo.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If we carry on we'll hit the tail of the +cyclone," said Kenyon, consulting a chart +of the Indian Ocean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, but what is worse we'd pass +through the dangerous storm-centre, and +then more than likely get a nose-ender on +the other side, if we were lucky enough to +weather the centre," replied Fosterdyke. +"It's too jolly risky, Kenyon. At fifteen +thousand feet it may be as bad or worse +than at five hundred feet up. Call up +Murgatroyd, and ask what petrol there +is in the tanks."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth went to the voice tube and made +the necessary enquiry of the engineer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove, we'll risk it!" declared +Fosterdyke, when he received the desired +information. "We'll go south a bit, and +then make straight for Fremantle."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon was taken aback with the +audacity of the proposal. The distance +between Socotra and Western Australia was +a good 5000 miles, or thirty-six hours of +uninterrupted flight. At 140 miles an hour +there was sufficient fuel on board for forty +hours, which meant a reserve of four hours +only in case of anything occurring to +protract the run.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, we'll do it," said Fosterdyke, +confidently, as he noticed his companion's +look of blank amazement. "Better run +the risk of cutting things fine than to barge +into a cyclone. Sou'-east by south is the +course."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Remarkable thing we haven't heard +anything of friend Sinzig 'clocking in,'" +observed Kenyon. "Wonder where he's +making for?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll hear in due course," replied the +baronet. He crossed the cabin to +consult a Mercator's chart of the world, on +which were pinned British, American, and +Japanese flags recording the latest-known +positions of the rival airmen. There was +a German flag ready to be stuck in, but +nearly five days had elapsed since von +Sinzig left Spain, and the crew of the +"Golden Hind" were still in ignorance +of his whereabouts.</p> +<p class="pnext">But they had the satisfaction of knowing +that they more than held their own with +the others. The American had passed the +Azores, while Count Hyashi's "Banzai," +which had made a stupendous non-stop +flight to Honolulu, had developed engine +defects that promised to detain him indefinitely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two thousand miles in nine hours," +remarked Fosterdyke, referring to the +Japanese airplane's performance. "Some +shifting that, but Count Hyashi has +evidently gone the pace a bit too thick. He's +our most dangerous rival, Kenyon."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Unless von Sinzig has something up +his sleeve, sir," added Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trust him for that," said the baronet, +grimly. "However, time will prove. +Well, carry on, Kenyon. Call me if there's +any great change in the weather."</p> +<p class="pnext">Within the next two hours there were +indications that even the new course taken +by the "Golden Hind" would not allow +her to escape the cyclone. Right ahead +the hitherto cloudless sky was heavy with +dark, ragged thunder-clouds that, +extending north and south as far as the eye +could see, threatened to close upon the +airship like the horns of a Zulu impi.</p> +<p class="pnext">Roused from his sleep, Fosterdyke lost +no time in making his way to the +navigation-room. Although he was not to be +on duty for another hour and a half, Peter +Bramsdean had also hurried to the chart-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're in for it, sir," declared Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are," agreed Fosterdyke, gravely. +"Evidently there is a second disturbance, +but judging from appearances it's none +the less formidable. No use turning tail. +We'll go up another five thousand feet and +see what it looks like."</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind" rose rapidly, under +the joint action of her six planes and the +addition of brodium to the ballonets; but +even then it was touch-and-go whether the +gathering storm would encircle her. As +it was she flew within the influence of the +fringe of the cyclone. Shrieking winds +assailed her, seeming to come from two +opposing quarters. Her huge bulk lurched +and staggered as she climbed. Her +fuselage see-sawed as the blast struck the +enormous envelope above, while the jar +upon the tension wires was plainly felt by the crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a full ten minutes it was as black as +night, save when the dark masses of cloud +were riven by vivid flashes of lightning. +Blinded by the almost incessant glare, +Fosterdyke and his companions could do +little or nothing but hang on, trusting that +the "Golden Hind" would steer herself +through the opaque masses of vapour. It +was impossible to consult the instruments. +Whether the airship was rising or falling, +whether she was steering north, south, east, +or west remained questions that were +incapable of being solved, since the blinding +flashes of lightning and the deafening peals +of thunder literally deprived the occupants +of the navigation-room of every sense save +that of touch. All they could do was to +hold on tightly, clench their teeth, and wait.</p> +<p class="pnext">It required some holding on. At one +moment the longitudinal axis of the airship +was inclined at an angle of forty-five +degrees; at another she was heeling to +almost the same angle, the while twisting +and writhing like a trapped animal. Now +and again she seemed to be enveloped in +electric fluid. Dazzling flashes of blue +flame played on and along the aluminium +envelope, vicious tongues of forked lightning +seemed to stab the gas-bag through and +through; and doubtless had the ballonets +contained hydrogen instead of +non-inflammable brodium the "Golden Hind" +would have crashed seawards in trailing +masses of flame.</p> +<p class="pnext">How long this inferno lasted no one on +board had the remotest idea. The flight +of time remained a matter of individual +calculation. To Kenyon it seemed hours; +Bramsdean afterwards confessed that he +thought the passage through the storm +cloud lasted thirty minutes. In reality +only six minutes had elapsed from the +time the "Golden Hind" was enveloped +in the thunder cloud till the moment when +she emerged.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was much like being in a train coming +out of a long tunnel. With their eyes +still dazed by the vivid flashes the men in +the navigation-room became aware that +the vapour was growing lighter. They +could distinguish the smoke-like rolls of +mist as the sunshine penetrated the upper +edges of the clouds. Then, no longer +beaten by the torrential downpour of hail, +the "Golden Hind" shot into a blaze of +brilliant sunshine.</p> +<p class="pnext">It seemed too good to be true. For +some moments Fosterdyke and his +companions simply stared blankly ahead until +their eyes grew accustomed to the different +conditions.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Kenyon, who was still officer of +the watch, glanced over the shoulder of the +helmsman and noted the compass. The +lubber's line was a point west of north. +The "Golden Hind" had been practically +retracing her course, and might be +anything from fifty to a hundred miles farther +away from her goal than she had been when +the storm enveloped her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Obedient to the action of the vertical +rudders the airship swung back on her +former course. The altimeter indicated +a height of twelve thousand feet, and the +"Golden Hind" was still rising. Three +thousand feet below was an expanse of +wind-torn clouds, no longer showing dark, +but of a dazzling whiteness. The crew of +the "Golden Hind" were literally looking +on the bright side of things.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're well above the path of the +storm," remarked Fosterdyke, gratefully. +"We've a lot to be thankful for, but the +fact remains we daren't descend while that +stuff's knocking about. Once in a +lifetime is quite enough."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before any of his companions could offer +any remark, Murgatroyd, the chief +air-mechanic on duty, appeared through the +hatchway.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sorry to have to report, sir," he +announced, "that the two after motors are +both out of action. Blade smashed on the +starboard prop, sir, and the chain-drive +on the port prop has snapped. The broken +chain is in your cabin, sir."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who put it there?" asked Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It put itself there, sir," was the +imperturbable reply. "Sort of flew off the +sprocket when the link parted and went +bang through the side plate of the fuselage, +sir. I'll allow it's made a wee bit of +a mess inside, sir."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take over, Bramsdean, please," said +Fosterdyke. "Directly you get a chance +obtain our position. Come on, Kenyon, let's +see the extent of the damage. The cabin +doesn't matter. It isn't the first time I've +slept in a punctured dog-box. But the +mechanical breakdown--that's the thing +that counts."</p> +<p class="pnext">Followed by Murgatroyd, the baronet +and Kenyon went aft. From No. 5 motor-room +they could see the motionless +propeller, one of the four blades of which had +been shattered as far as the boss, while all +the others bore signs of more or less damage +from the flying fragments.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Matter of twenty minutes, sir," replied +Murgatroyd in answer to his chief's enquiry +as to how long the repairs would take. +"We'll have to stop, and I'll bolt on the +new blades. At the same time I'll put a +couple of hands on to fitting a new chain +to the starboard drive. I don't fancy the +'A' bracket's strained, but I'll soon find +out directly we stop."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was rough luck to have to stop all the +motors and drift at the mercy of the air +currents for twenty precious minutes; but +the only option would be to carry on under +the action of four propellers only at a +greatly reduced speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Right-o, Murgatroyd," agreed the +baronet. "Slap it about."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trust me for that, sir," replied the +engineer. "I've warned the break-down +gang. I'll give you the all-clear signal in +twenty minutes--less, sir, or my name +isn't Robert Murgatroyd."</p> +<p class="pnext">Three minutes later the remaining four +motors were switched off, and the "Golden +Hind," rapidly losing way, fell off +broadside on to the wind at a height of twelve +thousand five hundred feet above sea-level.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly the mechanics swarmed out +along the slender "A" brackets, Murgatroyd +and an assistant setting to work to unbolt +the damaged blades, while other airmen +passed a new chain round the sprocket +wheels of the starboard motor and +propeller respectively.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although there was no apparent wind, +and the airship was drifting at practically +the same rate as the air current, it was +bitterly cold. The brackets were slippery +with ice, and the difficulty of maintaining +a foothold was still further increased by +the erratic vertical motion of the airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">The mechanics, wearing lifelines, went +about their work fearlessly. They were +used to clambering about on coastal +airships, sometimes under fire; and although +the present task was a simple one from +a mechanical point, it was most +difficult owing to the adverse atmospheric +conditions.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet in the space of seventeen and a half +minutes Murgatroyd and his band of +workers were back in the fuselage, their +task accomplished, and in twenty minutes +the six motors were running once more.</p> +<p class="pnext">Murgatroyd flushed with pleasure when +his chief thanked and complimented him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Maybe, sir, you'd be liking to have +your cabin repaired?" he asked. "Just a +sheet of metal strapped against the plates +will hold till we land again. Then I'll see +that it's well bolted on, sir; but I'll +guarantee you'll not be feeling the draught +to-night."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-the-boat-s-crew"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV--THE BOAT'S CREW</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The state of his cabin hardly troubled +Fosterdyke. He never even went to +investigate the extent of the damage, for the +moment the airship's motors were re-started +he hastened back to the navigation-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Got a fix yet, Bramsdean?" were +his first words.</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter handed him a slip of paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well out of our course, sir," he remarked.</p> +<p class="pnext">The position was given as lat. 3° 15' 20" +S., long. 58° 20' 5" E.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are," agreed Fosterdyke gravely. +"Well to the west'ard. We ought to be +within sight of the Seychelles."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any chance of getting petrol there, I +wonder?" asked Bramsdean. "Judging +by the name it seems a likely place to get +'Shell brand.'"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't prattle, Peter," exclaimed +Kenneth, facetiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke laughed at the joke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rotten puns, both of them," he said. +"All the same I wish we had another two +hundred gallons of 'Pratt's' or 'Shell' +or any other old brand of petrol. But it's +no use going still farther out of our course +on the off-chance of getting juice, so we'll +just carry on."</p> +<p class="pnext">With the passing of the cyclone the wind +fell light. What little there was was dead +aft. The sea, viewed from an altitude of +three thousand feet, appeared as smooth +as glass, although in reality there was a +long rolling ground swell.</p> +<p class="pnext">In order to economise the petrol +consumption the speed of the "Golden Hind" +was reduced to ninety miles an hour. +Should the favouring wind hold, the +airship stood a good chance of making the +Australian coast. If it changed and blew +from the south-east, then Fosterdyke's +chances of winning the race would be off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just before eleven o'clock in the morning +of the day following the storm, Frampton, +one of the crew on duty in the +navigation-room, reported a boat about three +miles away on the port bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">By the aid of glasses it was seen that +the boat was a ship's cutter moving slowly +under sail in an easterly direction. Her +crew were hidden from view by a spare +sail rigged as an awning over the stern sheets.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Something wrong there," remarked +Bramsdean. "A small boat hundreds +of miles from the nearest land requires +some explanation. Inform Sir Reginald, +Frampton; tell him I propose coming +down within hailing distance."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Fosterdyke could reach the +navigation-room the noise of the "Golden +Hind's" aerial propellers had attracted +the attention of the occupants of the cutter, +and six or seven men, whipping off the +awning, began waving strips of canvas +and various garments.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowing down and descending to fifty +feet, the airship approached the boat. The +latter was hardly seaworthy. Her topstrake +had been stove in on the starboard +side, and had been roughly repaired by +means of a piece of painted canvas. Her +sails were patched in several places, while +in default of a rudder she was being steered +by means of an oar.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Poor chaps! Look at them!" ejaculated +Kenneth. "They're almost done in."</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat's crew were indeed in desperate +straits. They were ragged, gaunt, and +famished. Their faces and hands were +burnt to a brick-red colour with exposure +to the wind and tropical sun. Three of +them, seeing that help was at hand, had +collapsed and were lying inertly on the +bottom-boards.</p> +<p class="pnext">Viewed from a height of fifty feet the +length of the ocean rollers became apparent. +The sea was not dangerous, since there +were no formidable crests to the long +undulations, but there was considerable +risk of the lightly built fuselage sustaining +damage should the boat surge alongside. +On the other hand, it was almost a matter +of impossibility to get the men on board +otherwise than by the airship descending +and resting on the surface. Obviously +they were far too weak to attempt to climb +the rope-ladder, while the use of bowlines +was open to great objection both as regards +the length of time and the risk of injury to +the rescued men.</p> +<p class="pnext">Being a ship's boat the cutter was +provided with slinging gear. The question +was whether in her damaged state the boat +would break her back in being hoisted; +but Fosterdyke decided to take the risk.</p> +<p class="pnext">Accordingly wire hawsers were lowered +from the two bow-hawser pipes, and by +dint of careful manoeuvring the shackles +were engaged. Then, under the lifting +power of additional brodium introduced +into the for'ard ballonets, the "Golden +Hind" rose vertically until the boat was +clear of the water. The motor winches +were then started and the cutter hauled +up until her gunwales were almost touching +the underside of the airship's nacelle.</p> +<p class="pnext">One by one the exhausted men were +taken on board the airship by means of +the hatchway through which Kenyon had +gone to the rescue of Enrico Jaures. This +done, two of the "Golden Hind's" men +dropped into the boat and passed slings +round her. When these took the weight +of the cutter the wire hawsers were +unshackled and the two men clambered back +to the airship, which had now risen to +nearly a thousand feet. One end of each +sling was then slipped, and the boat, falling +like a stone, splintered to matchwood as +she struck the surface of the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The seven rescued men were given food +and drink in strictly moderate quantities. +Vainly they begged for more, but +Fosterdyke knew the danger of starving men +being allowed to eat and drink their fill. +Nor did he attempt to question them at +that juncture, beyond ascertaining that +there were no more boats belonging to their +ship. They were put into bunks and made to sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not until ten o'clock on the +following morning that four of the rescued +men put in an appearance in Fosterdyke's +cabin. The remaining three were too ill +to leave their bunks.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were, they said, the sole survivors of +the American barque <em class="italics">Hilda P. Murchison</em>, +thirty days out from Albany, Western +Australia, and bound for Karachi. Three +hundred miles east of the Chagos Archipelago +an explosion took place, but whether +external or internal the survivors did not +know. One of them thought it might +have been a mine. But it was severe +enough to sink the <em class="italics">Hilda P. Murchison</em> in +less than five minutes, and the sole survivors +were the first mate and six hands of the +duty watch, who managed to scramble +into the only boat that had not been +shattered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without food and with only a small +barrico of water, they set off to make their +way back to Australia, knowing that with +the prevailing winds they stood a much +better chance of making land there than +if they attempted a three-hundred-mile +beat to windward, with the risk of missing +the Chagos Archipelago altogether.</p> +<p class="pnext">That was eight days ago. They contrived +to exist upon raw fish, tallow candles--which +they found in a locker--and half a +pint of water per man per diem.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once they sighted a vessel, but their +signals for assistance were unnoticed. Then +they encountered a white squall, the tail +end of a storm that ripped their sails before +they could stow canvas, and carried away +the rudder.</p> +<p class="pnext">The blow was succeeded by a flat calm. +For hours the cutter drifted idly, her +roughly repaired sails hanging listlessly in +the sultry air. Almost overcome by hunger, +fatigue, and the tropical heat, they were +on the point of despair when the timely +arrival of the British airship snatched +them from a lingering death.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hope we'll be able to set you ashore +at Fremantle within the next eight or ten +hours," said Fosterdyke. "Meanwhile we'll +get in touch with the wireless station there +and report your rescue. Oh, yes, you +may smoke in the for'ard compartment, +but you'll find this ship as 'dry' as the +land of the Stars and Stripes."</p> +<p class="pnext">During the rest of the day progress was +well maintained. The westerly breeze +increased to half a gale, which meant an +addition of thirty to forty miles an hour +to the airship's speed. Barring accidents +the "Golden Hind" would reach Fremantle +with petrol still remaining in her tanks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's not often one gets a westerly wind +in the Twenties," observed the baronet. +"South-east Trades are the usual order of +things. We're lucky. Normally we should +have to go as far south as 40° to rely upon +a westerly wind."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It will help us from Fremantle to New +Zealand," said Peter. "I remember +reading in the paper not so many months ago +of the skipper of a sailing vessel who tried +for days to beat up from Melbourne to +Fremantle. Finally he gave up beating +to wind'ard as a hopeless job, so he turned +and ran before the westerly breeze, sailed +round the Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, +and actually arrived at Fremantle several +days before another vessel that had left +Melbourne at the same time as he did."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let's hope we'll find an equally favouring +wind to help us across the Pacific," +remarked Fosterdyke. "We'll want it."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-revelations"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV--REVELATIONS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Land ahead!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The hail brought Fosterdyke and +Bramsdean from their cabins with the +utmost alacrity. They had not expected +to sight Australia for another hour and a +half, and now there was certainly land far +away to the east'ard.</p> +<p class="pnext">During the last three hours the clear +sky had given place to a thick bank of +dark clouds. Observations to determine +the "Golden Hind's" position were therefore +out of the question. She was steering +a compass course with the wind almost +dead aft. It was a case of dead reckoning, +and now no one knew exactly what part +of Western Australia they were +approaching--whether it was north or south +of the Fremantle aerodrome.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll do it before dark," declared +Fosterdyke, confidently.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had hardly spoken when Murgatroyd's +head and shoulders appeared through the +hatchway of the navigation-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're on the last few gallons of petrol, +sir," he reported. "I've me doubts if the +engines'll run another ten minutes. They're +slowing down now," he added.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Switch off all but numbers 1 and +2 motors," ordered the baronet. "Keep +these running for twenty minutes if you +can, and we'll manage it."</p> +<p class="pnext">But before the chief engineer could +regain the for'ard motor-room the six +aerial propellers were motionless. The +"Golden Hind" no longer drove through +the air, but simply drifted broadside on to +the strong breeze.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just as the sun sank in the Indian Ocean +the airship crossed the coastline. Ten +miles to the north could be discerned Perth +and Fremantle--ten miles that, as far as +the "Golden Hind" was concerned might +have been a thousand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Down with her," ordered Fosterdyke. +"Stand by with both grapnels. We'll +have to trust to luck to find a good +anchoring-ground."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not until the airship had passed +over the railway running southward from +Perth to Busselton that Kenyon noted a +hill that might afford shelter from the strong wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rapidly several thousand cubic feet of +brodium were exhausted from the ballonets, +with the result that the "Golden Hind" +dropped to within a hundred feet of the ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was just sufficient twilight to make +out the nature of the landing place. It +was a wide belt of grassland, dotted here +and there with small trees. Hedges there were none.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are a couple of men on horseback, +sir," reported Frampton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good," replied Fosterdyke. "Let go +both grapnels. See how she takes that."</p> +<p class="pnext">Both of the stout barbed hooks engaged +the moment they touched the ground. +Even though the wire ropes were paid out +in order to reduce the strain, the jerk was +severe. Round swung the giant airship +head to wind, but still she dragged. The +grapnels had caught in a wire fence, and +having uprooted half a dozen posts, were +doing their level best to remove a five-mile +sheep fence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Up galloped the two farmers. The +uprooting of their boundary fence hardly +troubled them. The arrival of the airship--the +first they had ever seen--occupied +all their attention.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Make fast for us, please," hailed +Fosterdyke, having ordered another rope +to be lowered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Right-o," was the reply. "We'll fix you up."</p> +<p class="pnext">Dismounting and tethering their +somewhat restive horses, the two Australians +took the end of the third wire rope to the +trunk of a large tree-the only one for +miles, as it so happened. Fortunately +they knew how to make a rope fast--an +accomplishment that few people other +than seamen possess.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where are we?" asked the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"In Minto County, ten miles from +Kelmscott," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any petrol to be had hereabouts?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sure," was the unexpected answer. +"How much do you want?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A hundred gallons--enough to take +us to Fremantle," replied Fosterdyke rather +dubiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two hundred if you want," offered +the good Samaritan. "I'll run it along +in less than an hour."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will to-morrow at daybreak do equally +as well?" asked Sir Reginald, knowing +the difficulty and possible danger of +handling quantities of the highly volatile +spirit in the dark. "We'll be all right here +until morning if the wind doesn't increase."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It won't," declared the farmer, +confidently. "If anything it'll fall light. If +you're in a hurry, I'll hitch you on to my +motor lorry and tow you into Fremantle."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke thanked him and begged to +be excused on the score that he was obliged +by the terms of the race to make a flight +without outside assistance in the matter +of propulsion.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two Australians, declining an invitation +to go on board the airship, rode away +in the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the farmer had predicted, the wind +fell away to a dead calm, so the airship +was able to rest upon the ground, but ready, +should the breeze spring up, to ascend to +a hundred feet and there ride it out until +the promised petrol was forthcoming.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now for our first dinner on or over +Australian soil," exclaimed Fosterdyke. +"By Jove, I'm hungry! What's going?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He scanned the menu card. The cooks +on the airship were good men at their work, +and dinner, whenever circumstances +permitted, was rather a formal affair.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hullo!" exclaimed Peter. "Covers +laid for four, eh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," replied the baronet. "I'm +expecting a guest. Ah! here he is. Let me +introduce you to my friend, Mr. Trefusis."</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenyon and Bramsdean could hardly +conceal their astonishment, for standing +just inside the doorway, immaculately +dressed in well-cut clothes, was the man +they had hitherto known as Otto Freising, +the fellow who had attempted to shoot +Fosterdyke at Alexandria.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Secret Service," explained the baronet. +"Had to keep the affair dark, even from +you two fellows."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You certainly did us in the eye," said Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No more than I did Señor Jaures," +rejoined Trefusis. "I had a rotten time +cooped up with that bird, but it was worth it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So you've succeeded?" asked Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Trefusis nodded.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wouldn't be here if I hadn't," he +remarked. "It took me some time to get +the right side of Señor Enrico, but I +managed it. He rather looked a bit +sideways at me when I pitched a yarn about +being a Hun. However, I've got it out +of him that he was employed by von Sinzig +to kipper your part of the show, and judging +by accounts he almost succeeded. You'll +have enough evidence, Fosterdyke, to +disqualify von Sinzig."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll think about it," drawled the +baronet. "After all's said and done the +Hun is a sport, only his idea of sport differs +radically from ours. It's his nature, I +suppose. But another time you fire at me +with blank cartridges, Trefusis, old son, +please don't aim at my head. Grains of +burnt powder in one's eyes aren't pleasant."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nor did I feel very pleasant," rejoined +the Secret Service man, "when that +officious blighter suggested putting me +under arrest and trying me in a Civil Court. +He must have thought you pretty +high-handed, rushing me off in your airship."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, it was as well I took Colonel +Holmes into my confidence," said Fosterdyke. +"Otherwise you might at this +moment be cooling your heels in a 'Gippy' +prison. However, we've got evidence +against von Sinzig, if needs be."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What are you going to do with Señor +Jaures?" asked Trefusis.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do with him? Nothing much. Fact, +I'll do it now, directly we've finished dinner."</p> +<p class="pnext">The meal over, Fosterdyke ordered +Enrico Jaures to be brought in. The look +on the miscreant's features was positively +astounding when he found his former +companion in captivity revealed in his +true colours.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, Enrico Jaures," began Fosterdyke, +without further preliminaries. "You +understand English, in spite of your +previous denial. Read that. If you agree +to it, you are a free man the moment you've +signed the statement."</p> +<p class="pnext">At the promise of liberty Enrico plucked +up courage. He had a wholesome respect +for the word of an Englishman.</p> +<p class="pnext">The document was in the form of a +confession, stating that Enrico Jaures had +agreed, for a certain sum promised by Count +Karl von Sinzig, to hinder, either by +crippling or destroying the "Golden Hind," +Sir Reginald Fosterdyke's attempt to fly +round the world.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll sign," said Enrico.</p> +<p class="pnext">He wrote his name. Kenyon and +Trefusis witnessed the signature.</p> +<p class="pnext">The baronet folded the document and +placed it in his pocket.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now you can go," he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But how am I to return to Gibraltar?" +asked Jaures.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's your affair," replied Fosterdyke, +sternly. "You ought to be thankful you're +still alive. Now go."</p> +<p class="pnext">At the first sign of dawn the Australian +farmer, true to his word, arrived with a +large motor-lorry piled with filled petrol +cans. He was not alone. The seemingly +sparsely-populated district now teemed +with people. Hundreds must have seen +the "Golden Hind" pass overhead the +previous evening, but how they discovered +the airship's temporary anchorage was a +mystery. There were townsmen in +motorcars, sturdy farmers on motor-cycles, +waggons, and carts, backwoodsmen on +bicycles and on foot. Even the +"sun-downer" class were represented.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind" had just completed +her preparations for flying back to +Fremantle aerodrome when a motor-cyclist +rode up and handed Fosterdyke a telegram.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was fortunate we didn't make +Fremantle last night," observed the baronet, +handing the message to Kenyon and +Bramsdean. "The aerodrome was destroyed by +fire at one o'clock this morning."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-the-observation-basket"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI--THE OBSERVATION BASKET</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">While the "Golden Hind" was struggling +towards the shores of Western Australia, +Count Karl von Sinzig in Z64 was flying +almost due south from Samarang, in the +island of Java.</p> +<p class="pnext">He, too, had had a taste of the cyclone, +which had extended over the whole of the +Arabian Sea and had been severely felt as +far north as the Persian-Turkestan frontier.</p> +<p class="pnext">Practically helpless in the grip of the +furious blast, Z64 had been driven far off +her course. Passing high over the +mountainous districts of Thibet, the German +airship, unseen and unheard, finally +encountered a stiff northerly wind when +approaching the China Sea in the +neighbourhood of Hanoi. Already the start +von Sinzig had obtained over his British +rival was wiped out. The long detour he +had been obliged to take represented twelve +hours' flight under normal conditions, and +since he knew of Fosterdyke's progress by +the expedient of picking up the "Golden +Hind's" wireless message, he realised that +the latter had made good her belated departure.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Samarang, Z64 took in fresh +hydrogen and petrol. Von Sinzig reported his +arrival to the representatives of the +International Air Board, and stated his intention +of proceeding via New Guinea, New +Caledonia, and Norfolk Island to New +Zealand, where he would be able to fulfil one +of the conditions that required the +competitors to touch at a spot within one degree +of the nadir to their starting-point.</p> +<p class="pnext">But von Sinzig had no intention of +carrying out his declared programme. +Directly he was well clear of Samarang, he +shaped a course due south in order to pick +up the prevailing westerly wind south of +Australia on which Fosterdyke counted +also. A stiff northerly wind over the Sunda +Sea helped the German to attain his object, +and on the evening that the "Golden +Hind" drifted to south of Fremantle, Z64 +was skirting the coast of West Australia, +in the neighbourhood of Geographe Bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">Von Sinzig was in a bad state of mind. +He knew by means of a code message from +Barcelona that one of his agents had made +an attempt to delay the "Golden Hind's" +departure. What had actually taken place +he knew not. All he did know was the +galling fact that the attempt had been +unsuccessful, and that by this time his +rival was practically level with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hans," he exclaimed, calling one of his +subordinates, formerly an Unter-Leutnant +in the German Flying Service and before +that a Mercantile Marine officer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hans Leutter clicked his heels and stood +to attention.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You know Fremantle?" enquired the +count, brusquely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fairly well, mein Herr," was the reply. +"I've called there perhaps a dozen times +in cargo boats. The last time was in +January, 1914."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There was, of course, no aerodrome there then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Assuredly no, sir."</p> +<p class="pnext">"According to my information it is on +the right bank of the Swan River and a +couple of kilometres to the east of the +town. It ought to be easily found."</p> +<p class="pnext">Hans Leutter agreed that to locate it +ought to be a simple matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then we'll do so, little Hans," +exclaimed the count, grimly. "We might +even make the Englishman Fosterdyke a +little present anonymously, of course."</p> +<p class="pnext">The ex-Unter-Leutnant grinned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You wish me to take the Albatross for +an airing then?" he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ach, no," replied von Sinzig. "If +our Albatross were invisible and noiseless, +it would be different. We'll use the +observation basket. Overhaul the mechanism +carefully, because you, little Hans, are +going to use it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Hans Leutter saluted and went for'ard. +He was not at all keen on being told +off for observation work, but his innate +sense of discipline made him accept the +duty without outward signs of resentment. +Somehow he didn't relish the idea of being +lowered from the Zeppelin and allowed to +dangle at the end of two or three thousand +feet of fine wire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shortly before midnight the look-out +on Z64 picked up the harbour and town +lights of Fremantle. It was now a fairly +calm night. At five thousand feet was a +stratum of light clouds, sufficient to obscure +the starlight. The climatic conditions for +von Sinzig's plans were exactly what he wanted.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the German airship was dead to +windward of the town her motors were +switched off and she was allowed to drift +in and out of the lower edge of the bank +of clouds.</p> +<p class="pnext">From her foremost nacelle a circular +basket, fitted with a vertical vane to +prevent it from turning round and round like +a gigantic meat-jack, was hanging. In +the basket, with a couple of small +incendiary bombs for company, was Hans +Leutter. In order to keep in touch with +the captain of Z64 Hans was provided +with a wireless telephone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All ready," announced the observer. "Lower away."</p> +<p class="pnext">The well-oiled mechanism ran smoothly +and noiselessly until a sudden check in the +downward journey told Hans that the +observation basket had reached the limit +of its cable. From where he dangled--nearly +two-thirds of a mile below the +airship--Z64 was quite invisible. It was +therefore safe to assume that the good +people of Fremantle were likewise not in +a position to see the huge gas-bag five +thousand feet overhead, while the +insignificant observation basket, although only +a thousand feet or so up, was too minute +to be spotted against the blurred starlight.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the other hand, Hans Leutter could +command a fairly comprehensive view of +the town beneath him. The tranquil +waters of the Swan River enabled him to +fix his position, for even on the darkest +night a river can readily be seen by an +aerial observer. The navigation lamps of +the aerodrome almost misled him. At +first he mistook them for the railway +station; but when he discovered his +mistake he asked himself why the aerial +signalling lamps were still being exhibited. +According to the latest wireless messages +picked up by Z64, the "Golden Hind" +ought by this time to be berthed in the +hangar. But, perhaps, he argued, the +officials in their demonstrations of welcome +had forgotten to switch the lights off.</p> +<p class="pnext">"This reminds me of London in 1916," +thought Hans. "London in those good old +days when our Zeppelins came and went +almost without let or hindrance. Now, +my beauty, you and I must part."</p> +<p class="pnext">He raised the bomb and poised it on the +edge of the basket. In his excitement he +had completely forgotten his fears at being +suspended by a steel rope almost the same +gauge as a piano-wire.</p> +<p class="pnext">The incendiary bomb was quite a small +affair, but none the less efficacious. In +order to guard against identification should +any of the metal parts be found, the vanes +were stamped with the British Government +marks, which showed that von Sinzig, with +characteristic Teutonic thoroughness, had +taken the precaution of covering his tracks. +The British Air Ministry and the Australian +Commonwealth Government could appraise +responsibility later--by that time Z64 +would be thousands of miles away.</p> +<p class="pnext">Allowing for the slight breeze, Hans +Leutter telephoned for the Zeppelin to +steer ten degrees to the nor'ard. Slowly +Z64 carried out the instructions, and +seesawing gently the observation basket moved +in a slightly different direction from its +previous line of drift until the crucial +moment arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hans Leutter released the bomb. For +three seconds the observer could follow +its downward passage; then it vanished +into the darkness. Five seconds later the +missile hit its objective.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no need for a second bomb. +The airship shed was blazing fiercely.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Hun in the basket spoke into the telephone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Direct hit," he reported. "Haul me up."</p> +<p class="pnext">Z64 had once more stopped her motors +and was rising rapidly above the bank of +clouds. At the same time a motor winch +was winding in the cable, and Hans +Leutter's rate of progress as the basket +whirred through the air brought back all +his fears concerning his hazardous position. +What if there were a flaw in the wire? It +was ex-Government stuff, he recalled--material +that might have been left lying in +a neglected condition for months before +von Sinzig acquired it for its present +purpose. And supposing the wire slipped +off the drum and got nipped in the cogs +of the winch? A score of thoughts of a +similar nature flashed across the observer's +mind. He broke into a gentle perspiration. +He trembled violently as a mental +vision of himself hurtling through space +gripped him in all its hideousness.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the wire held. Hans Leutter was +assisted into the nacelle, where he promptly +fainted. By that time Z64 was several +miles away from Fremantle, but a dull +red glare on the horizon unmistakably +indicated the extent of the conflagration.</p> +<p class="pnext">Throughout the night Z64 flew at an +altitude of not less than fifteen thousand +feet. Dawn found her far to the south'ard +of the Great Australian Bight.</p> +<p class="pnext">Von Sinzig had good cause for keeping +out of the beaten steamer tracks; nor did +he intend to pass within a hundred miles +of the southern part of Tasmania. He +counted upon arriving at Napier, New +Zealand, at daybreak on the day following, +and until then he meant to be most careful +not to be reported by any vessel.</p> +<p class="pnext">The commander of Z64 had just sat +down to breakfast when one of the crew +entered his cabin.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pardon, Herr Offizier," said the man, +apologetically, "but the observation basket +is missing."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you mean?" demanded von Sinzig.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We secured it after Herr Leutter had +finished with it, Herr Kapitan," explained +the man. "I myself saw that the four +bottle-screws were turned up tightly. +Kaspar Graus, who had been told to +remove the remaining petrol bomb, came +and reported that the basket was no +longer there. The metal clips were still +attached to the bottle-screws. It would +appear that these were torn from the +basket itself."</p> +<p class="pnext">Count Karl von Sinzig left his breakfast +untasted and hurried along the catwalk to +the gondola from which the observation +basket was hung. His informant's news +was only too true. Unaccountably the +basket had been wrenched from its securing +apparatus.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is of little consequence," he declared. +"We would not have required it again, +and, since it will not float, it is at the bottom +of the sea by this time. Perhaps it is as +well, in case we are inspected by inquisitive +officials at our next alighting place."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an unlucky day for Z64. About +noon two of her motors developed trouble +simultaneously. Three hours elapsed +before the sweating mechanics were able +to get the recalcitrant engines in running +order again, and during that period the +Zeppelin had perforce to slow down +considerably. Consequently, it was half an +hour after sunrise when Z64 sighted the +Three Kings Island to the north-west of +Cape Maria van Diemen. Here she altered +course, so as ostensibly to appear as if she +had been flying straight from New +Caledonia, and, skirting the west coast of New +Zealand, headed for Napier, where, by the +consent of the New Zealand Government, +von Sinzig was permitted to land and thus +carry out one of the conditions of the contest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll fly inland when we sight Auckland," +decided the count. "No, don't +take her up any higher. There is now +no need for concealment. Let these New +Zealanders see and comment upon the fact +that their islands are not beyond reach of +a good German airship."</p> +<p class="pnext">And so, flaunting her prowess in the +rapidly-growing daylight, Z64 approached +the town of Auckland. The Zeppelin was +within ten miles of the place when one +of the crew shouted the disconcerting +information that there was an airship +on the starboard bow, travelling east by north.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rapping out a furious oath, von Sinzig +snatched up a pair of binoculars. He had +never before set eyes on the "Golden Hind," +although the British airship had passed +almost immediately above him within a +few minutes of Z64 leaving her Spanish +base, but instinctively he realised that +this was his greatest rival, Sir Reginald +Fosterdyke's creation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Gott in Himmel!" shouted von Sinzig. +"Leutter, you numbskull, you made a +hideous mess of things last night! Look--the +'Golden Hind'!"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvii-a-surprise-for-captain-prout"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id18">CHAPTER XVII--A SURPRISE FOR CAPTAIN PROUT</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Captain Abraham Prout, master and +part owner of the topsail schooner <em class="italics">Myrtle</em>, +of 120 tons burthen, came on deck on +hearing the mate give the order "All +hands shorten sail!"</p> +<p class="pnext">It was six o'clock in the morning, still +dark and very cold, for the <em class="italics">Myrtle</em> was +on the fortieth parallel of the Southern +Hemisphere, and the month being June +it was mid-winter. There were flakes of +snow flying about. For the last three days +and nights it had either been sleeting, +raining, or snowing, or else all three together; +but the wind was fair, and there was every +prospect of the schooner making a quick +passage from Albany to Hobart.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's something behind this muck, +Abe," remarked the mate, who, on the +strength of being the "Old Man's" brother-in-law, +was on familiar terms with Captain +Prout. "The old hooker won't carry her +topsails with the breeze a-freshenin'. Best +be on the safe side, says I."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quite right, Tom," agreed the skipper. +"New topmasts cost a mort sight o' +money in these hard times. Anything +to report?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothin'," replied the mate, laconically.</p> +<p class="pnext">He shook the frozen sleet from the rim of +his sou'wester and turned to inform one of +the crew, in polite language of the sea, that +"he'd better get a move on an' not stand +there a-hanging on to the slack."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's some tea a-goin', Tom," +announced Captain Prout. "Nip below an' +get a mug to warm you up a bit."</p> +<p class="pnext">The mate fell in with the suggestion with +alacrity. The skipper, having seen the +hands complete their task of "gettin' the +tops'ls off her," went aft to where the +half-frozen helmsman was almost mechanically +toying with the wheel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through sheer force of habit Captain +Prout peered into the feebly illuminated +compass-bowl. Even as he did so, there +was a tremendous crash.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Myrtle</em> trembled from truck to +kelson, while from aloft a jumble of +splintered spars, cordage, and canvas fell upon +the deck like a miniature avalanche.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Prout's first impressions were +those of pained surprise. For the moment +he was firmly convinced that the schooner +had piled herself upon an uncharted rock, +but the absence of any signs of the vessel +pounding against a hard bottom reassured +him on that point.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although in ignorance of what had +occurred, the tough old skipper rose to the +occasion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Steady on your helm!" he shouted to +the man at the wheel. "Don't let her fall +off her course."</p> +<p class="pnext">The helmsman obeyed. It was no easy +matter, since he was enveloped in a fold of +the mainsail and the <em class="italics">Myrtle</em> was towing +the main-topmast and a portion of the +cross-trees alongside.</p> +<p class="pnext">Alarmed by the commotion, the "watch +below"--two men and a boy--rushed on +deck, while the mate, issuing from the +after-cabin with a tin pannikin of tea still +grasped in his hand, raised his voice in a +strongly worded enquiry to know what had +happened to the old hooker.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Get a light, Tom, an' we'll have a +squint at the damage," shouted the Old +Man. "One of you sound the well and +see if she's making any. Dick, you +just see if them sidelights are burning +properly."</p> +<p class="pnext">The mate disappeared, to return with a +hurricane lamp.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Jerusalem!" he exclaimed. "Ain't +it a lash up?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The mainmast had been broken off five +feet below the cross-trees, with the result +that the main and throat halliard blocks +had gone with the broken spars, while the +mainsail, with the gaff and boom, had fallen +across the deck. The shroud halliards +still held, and the wire shrouds themselves +trailed athwart both bulwarks. Apparently +the foremast was intact, since it was the +main topmast stay that had parted under +the strain.</p> +<p class="pnext">This much Captain Prout saw, noted, +and understood, but what puzzled him was +a telescoped object, looking very much like +an exaggerated top-hat, that lay upon the +deck between the mainmast fife-rail and +the coaming of the main hatch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guess it's a meteorite," hazarded the mate.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Meteorite, my foot!" ejaculated +Captain Prout, scornfully. "If't had been, +'twould ha' gone slap bang through the +old hooker, an' we'd have been in the ditch."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's had a good try, anyway," rejoined +the mate. "Half a dozen deck planks stove in."</p> +<p class="pnext">He held the lantern close to the mysterious object.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Looks like a bloomin' bath," he +continued, "and I'm hanged if there isn't a +whopping big bird in it. Rummiest +birdcage I've ever set eyes on."</p> +<p class="pnext">The cause of the damage to the +<em class="italics">Myrtle's</em> top-hamper and deck planks +was Z64's observation basket. Instead +of falling into the sea and decorously +sinking to the bottom, as von Sinzig had +hoped, the contrivance had struck the only +vessel within a radius of a hundred miles. +With its head and neck driven completely +through the aluminium side of the basket +was a large eagle. The huge bird had struck +the suspended basket such a tremendous +blow that the impact had wrenched away +the metal clips securing it to the bottle-screws.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Standin' an' looking at the blessed +thing won't clear away this raffle," said +the Old Man with asperity. "Set to, +all hands. Secure and belay all you can +and cut the rest adrift."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heave this lot overboard, Abe?" +questioned the mate, kicking the basket +with his sea-boot.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Best let 'un stop awhile," decided the +skipper. "Pass a lashing round it. Be +sharp with that topmast, or it'll stove us in."</p> +<p class="pnext">Quickly the mate and a couple of hands +cut away the rigging that held the topmast +alongside. The heavy spar, which had +been bumping heavily against the side, +fell clear. The <em class="italics">Myrtle</em>, no longer +impeded by the trailing wreckage, forged +rapidly through the water, although she +was now carrying foresail, staysail, and +outer jib only.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time day had broken. The +snow had ceased falling, and right ahead +the pale sun shone in a grey, misty sky.</p> +<p class="pnext">The crew, having made all ship-shape +as far as lay in their power, were curiously +regarding the cause of the catastrophe. +They rather looked upon it as a diversion +to break the monotony.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's a log of sorts, sir," exclaimed +one of the men, fumbling with the leather +straps that secured the unused petrol +bomb. The missile had been badly dented, +but luckily the safety cap was intact. +Had it not been so, the bomb would have +ignited on impact, and the <em class="italics">Myrtle</em>, +her snow-swept deck notwithstanding, +would soon have been enveloped in flames +from stem to stern.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't fool around with it, Ted," said +another of the crew, who, an R.N.R. man, +had seen life and death in the Great +War. "It's a bomb."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well," observed Captain Prout, +"that's more'n I bargained for. I've +taken my chances with floating mines, +but it's coming too much of a good thing +when these airmen blokes start chucking +bombs haphazard-like."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Best pitch the thing overboard," +suggested the mate.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," objected the Old Man. "If +we do, we've no evidence. Someone's got +to pay for this lash up. Government +broad arrow on the thing, too. That +fixes it. When we make Hobart I'll raise +Cain or my name's not Abraham Prout."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviii-under-fire"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id19">CHAPTER XVIII--UNDER FIRE</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"It's going to be a close race, Kenyon," +remarked Fosterdyke, as Z64 crossed the +"Golden Hind's" bows at a distance of +less than a mile.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guess we're top-dog, though," replied +Kenneth. "We've wiped out the Hun's +useful lead, and at the half-way point +we're practically level."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," agreed the baronet; "but we +must not ignore the element of chance. +Let me see"--he referred to the large +Mercator map--"according to the latest +reports, Commodore Nye's 'Eagle' is at +Khartoum. His hop across the Atlantic +and a non-stop run over the Sahara takes +a lot of beating. I'd like to meet that +Yankee. And there's the Jap, Count +Hyashi. He's at Panama, after having +been hung up for three days at Honolulu. +If he'd been able to carry on without a +hitch, his quadruplane would have won +the race. So it appears that all the +competitors have completed half the course +at practically the same time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aeroplane approaching, sir," reported Collings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Right ahead a biplane was heading +towards the "Golden Hind," followed +at close intervals by three more. +Seemingly ignoring the German airship, which +was now on a diverging course, the four +machines with admirable precision turned +and accompanied the British airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two took up station on either side of +the "Golden Hind." Each flew the New +Zealand ensign. It was Fosterdyke's +preliminary welcome to the Antipodes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gliding serenely earthwards in perfectly +calm air, the "Golden Hind" entered the +big shed prepared for her reception. The +civic officials of Auckland turned out in +force, supported by crowds of "Diggers" +and a fair sprinkling of Maoris.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We quite understand," was the mayor's +remark when Fosterdyke, thanking him +for the warmness of his reception, firmly +but courteously refused to attend a +banquet proposed to be given in his honour. +"This is a race, not a ceremonial tour. +The prestige of the Empire is at stake, so +get on with it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Accordingly, the "Golden Hind's" crew +did "get on with it." Aided by scores +of willing helpers, they replenished fuel +tanks, took in fresh water and provisions +and necessary stores. A representative +of the International Air Board was in +attendance to sign the control sheet, +certifying that the "Golden Hind" had +completed half the circuit, and had touched +at a spot within a degree of the opposite +point of the globe to his starting-point. +Within an hour and a quarter of her +arrival at Auckland the British airship +started on her homeward voyage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although New Zealand had no cause +to show any goodwill towards the Huns, +von Sinzig had no reason to complain of +his reception. He was received coldly, +it is true, but the New Zealanders, +sportsmen all, were not ones to put obstacles +in the way of an alien and former enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Notified by wireless of Z64's impending +arrival at Napier, the authorities at that +town had cylinders of hydrogen and a large +stock of petrol in readiness for the German +airship's requirements. Within ten minutes +of the "Golden Hind's" departure from +Auckland Z64 started from Napier.</p> +<p class="pnext">The contest had now entered upon a +more interesting phase. It was almost +certain that the rivals would take a +practically identical course, crossing the +American continent in the neighbourhood of the +Isthmus of Panama. The lofty Andes, +extending like a gigantic backbone from +Colombia to Patagonia--an almost +uninterrupted range 450 miles in +length--presented a difficult, though not exactly +insurmountable obstacle to the rival airships.</p> +<p class="pnext">Vainly the wireless operators of the +"Golden Hind" sought to "pick up" +the Zeppelin. Von Sinzig had seen to +that, for directly the German airship left +New Zealand he gave orders that on no +account were messages to be transmitted, +but on the other hand, the receivers were +to be constantly in use, in order to pick +up any radiograms that might throw light +upon the movements of the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">Apart from the chagrin at the knowledge +that his attempt to burn the British +airship was a failure, von Sinzig felt rather +elated. His deceptive report of the course +he had taken from Java to New Zealand +had been accepted by the authorities +without question; hence no suspicion could +possibly be attached to him for the burning +of the Fremantle aerodrome. He was +also of the opinion that Z64 was a swifter +craft than her rival, and possessed another +advantage--that of greater fuel-carrying +capacity. Even if the "Golden Hind" +did possess a higher speed, she would have +to alight more frequently to replenish her tanks.</p> +<p class="pnext">As far as the "Golden Hind" was +concerned the run across the Panama was +almost devoid of incident. With the +exception of a distant view of Pitcairn +Island--famous in connection with the +mutiny of the <em class="italics">Bounty</em>--no land was +sighted until Galapagos Group was seen +ten miles on the starboard bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind" was now re-crossing +the equator. Fosterdyke, who had +crossed the line at least a dozen times, +in all sorts of vessels from luxuriant liners +to singy tramps, and even on one occasion +on board a wind-jammer, declared that +there was nothing to beat an airship for +travelling in the Tropics.</p> +<p class="pnext">"For one thing you can keep cool," +he added; "another, that will appeal to +a good many people, is the fact that +an airship is beyond reach of Father +Neptune and his merry myrmidons. And the +Doldrums, instead of being regarded as a +terror, afford an easy passage to aircraft +of all descriptions."</p> +<p class="pnext">With the setting of the sun a thick mist +arose--one of those humid tropical mists +that are responsible for malaria and other +zymotic diseases peculiar to the Torrid Zone.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a couple or three thousand feet +altitude, the "Golden Hind" was in pure +clear air, but in the brief twilight the +banks of mist as viewed from above were +picturesque in the extreme.</p> +<p class="pnext">But to the crew of the "Golden Hind" +the picturesqueness of the scene was in a +measure unappreciated. They were +nearing land, and a fog was one of the most +undesirable climatic conditions. Not only +was time a consideration, but the petrol +supply was running low. But for this, +Fosterdyke would have slowed down and +cruised around until the mists dispersed +with daybreak.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll have to risk it and make a +descent," he declared. "Anywhere within +easy distance of Panama will do, because +it is a calm night and there will be little +or no risk of the 'Golden Hind' being +exposed to a high wind. Thank goodness +we've directional wireless."</p> +<p class="pnext">At length Fosterdyke felt convinced +that the "Golden Hind" was nearing +Panama. He had arranged by wireless +to detonate three explosive rockets, and +the United States Air Station was to +reply with a similar signal, while searchlights, +directed vertically, would enable +the airship to locate the landing-ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hanged if I can see any searchlights," +exclaimed Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Killed by the mist," explained the +baronet. "I fancy I see a blurr of light +two points on our port bow. What's that, +Truscott?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The wireless operator had left his cabin +and was standing behind Fosterdyke as the +latter was peering through the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's a jam for some reason," +announced Truscott. "For the last five +minutes I've been calling up Panama, +but there's nothin' doin'. A high-powered +installation, using the same metre-wave, +is cutting in. I asked them to knock off, +but they haven't done so."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Inconsiderate blighters!" exclaimed +Fosterdyke. "Never mind, Truscott, we +can get along all right now. I fancy I +can see the aerodrome lights."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," agreed Kenyon. "One point +on our port bow now."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then fire the rockets," ordered the +baronet, at the same time telegraphing for +the motors to be declutched.</p> +<p class="pnext">Three vivid flashes rent the darkness, +their brilliance illuminating a wide area +of the fog-bank a thousand feet below, +while the report echoed over the level line +of misty vapour like a continuous peal +of thunder.</p> +<p class="pnext">Within a minute of the discharge of +the third rocket two bursts of flame, +accompanied by sharp reports, occurred +at a distance of less than a quarter of a +mile of the "Golden Hind's" port quarter, +while after an interval of fifteen seconds +three more exploded simultaneously in +the same direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guess Uncle Sam can't count," +remarked Kenyon, imitating to perfection +the nasal drawl of the typical New +Englander.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Looks to me like shrapnel," added +Bramsdean. "Judging by the way the +smoke mushroomed, it reminds me of +Archies over the Hun lines."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good enough, we'll drop gently," +decided Fosterdyke. "Stand by with the +holding-down lines and have a couple of +grapnels ready."</p> +<p class="pnext">The amount of brodium necessary to +more than neutralise the lifting power of +the gas and the dead weight of the +airship was exhausted from the requisite +number of ballonets, and the "Golden +Hind" began to sink almost vertically +in the still air.</p> +<p class="pnext">Within five minutes she entered the +belt of mist--a warm, sickly-smelling +atmosphere that reminded Kenyon of a +hot-house.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hear voices," announced Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not far beneath the airship men were +shouting and talking excitedly, but the +crew of the "Golden Hind" were unable +to understand what the men were saying.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ahoy, there!" hailed Fosterdyke. +"Stand by to take our ropes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Both grapnels were carefully lowered, +since there would be grave risks entailed +by throwing them overboard. At the +same time half a dozen holding-down ropes +were paid out from each side of the nacelle. +These were caught by unseen hands and +the airship was quickly drawn earthwards +at far too great a speed to please Sir +Reginald Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Gently," he shouted. "Avast heaving."</p> +<p class="pnext">The response was a terrible surprise. +Simultaneously two searchlights were +unmasked, their powerful beams at short +range punctuating the fog and impinging +upon the enormous envelope of the +"Golden Hind," while an irregular fusillade +of musketry assailed the airship on +all sides.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Up with her!" shouted Fosterdyke. +"Charge all the ballonets. We've struck +a revolution."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xix-victims-of-a-revolution"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIX--VICTIMS OF A REVOLUTION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Above the staccato of rifle-firing rose the +roar of the "Golden Hind's" powerful +motors. Volumes of brodium, released +from the pressure-flasks, rushed into the +ballonets. The airship rose at an oblique +angle, her nose almost touching the ground. +Then, as the aerial propellers went ahead, +the fore-part of the fuselage ploughed over +the rough ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">With thirty or forty men hanging on +like grim death to the guide-lines, and as +many more tailing on to the grapnel +ropes, the "Golden Hind," with gas +leaking from numerous bullet holes in her +ballonets, was unable to seek refuge in +her natural element.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately for the safety of the airship's +crew, the rifle-firing quickly ceased +as soon as the attackers realised that they +had effected her capture. Apparently it +was their intention to prevent further +damage being done to the huge airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">Finding that escape was impossible and +unable to offer resistance, Fosterdyke +opened out one of the doors of the nacelle +and raised his hands above his head. It +was no disgrace in surrendering thus. +Alive the crew of the "Golden Hind" +could offer and receive explanations. +Dead, they could not.</p> +<p class="pnext">The appearance of the captain of the +"Golden Hind" was greeted by peremptory +orders, shouted in an unintelligible +language. It certainly wasn't American. +It seemed to Fosterdyke that it was a kind +of Spanish, and since he was ignorant of +that tongue he failed to grasp the meaning +of the volume of directions.</p> +<p class="pnext">Covered by scores of rifles, Fosterdyke, +Kenyon, and Bramsdean headed the crew +of the airship. Completely bewildered by +the aggressive nature of their reception, +and not knowing what fate would befall +them, the position of the British airmen was +critical in the extreme. Yet they bore +themselves calmly and bravely, scorning +to let their captors know that inwardly +at least they "felt the breeze."</p> +<p class="pnext">Deftly, as if they were well used to +performing the operation, two half-breeds +searched the baronet for concealed weapons. +The rest of the crew were subjected to the +same treatment. Finding nothing in the +nature of arms, the searchers looked rather +astonished and disappointed.</p> +<p class="pnext">A gorgeously uniformed man, evidently +the commandant of the band, walked up to +the baronet and saluted with an elaborate +flourish. There was little doubt about it; +he had already come to the conclusion that +a mistake had occurred, and that he rather +feared the consequences.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Americano, señor?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," replied Fosterdyke. "English."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Madre de Dios!" ejaculated the +commandant in ill-concealed consternation. +He shouted something to his followers. +After a brief interval, a tall, olive-featured +follower, whose black oiled locks fell on +his shoulders, slouched forward and +announced--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me speak English. Vot you do here?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Mutual explanations took a considerable +time; but eventually Fosterdyke and his +companions gleaned the salient facts for +the reason of the attack and capture of +the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">In the tropical mists the airship had +landed not in the Panama Zone but in a +neighbouring republic, which, as is by no +means an unusual occurrence, was indulging +in a little political diversion in the +shape of a revolution. Just at present +there was no means of ascertaining which +was the predominant faction, but one side +had gained possession of an old +airship--purchased at a disposal sale of one of the +<em class="italics">Entente</em> countries. This airship, hastily +fitted out and provided with bombs and +machine-guns, was known to be on the +point of operating against the Federals. +The latter were therefore expecting the +raiding airship when the "Golden Hind," +miles out of her course owing to the mists +and a side wind that, unknown to the +navigating officers, had blown her well to leeward, +fired her detonating rockets almost immediately +over the Federal party's main force.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Federals knew nothing of the Round +the World Race; but their anxiety to +make amends was most marked. They +offered to provide unlimited supplies of +petrol, and to render any assistance that +lay in their power; but the fact remained +that the hasty fusillade had caused +considerable damage to the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">At first Fosterdyke thought that the +airship was out of the running. Kenyon +and Bramsdean were of the same opinion, +for the loss of brodium through the +punctured ballonets seemed a fatal obstacle to +the immediate resumption of the flight.</p> +<p class="pnext">Further examination revealed the fact +that half the number of the ballonets were +holed. Of these almost every one could +be patched and made gas-tight, since the +rifle-bullets, being of small calibre and of +high velocity, had bored minute holes. +But what was far more serious was the +shortage of brodium. Even by releasing +the contents of the reserve cylinders it +was doubtful whether there was sufficient +to lift the airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll have a good try, anyway," +declared Fosterdyke. "Once we get her +up we'll rely on our planes to get us across +the Atlantic. Thank goodness the motors +are intact! I wonder if there's much +damage done to the navigation-room. +Several bullets came unpleasantly close +to our heads, I remember."</p> +<p class="pnext">Examination resulted in the knowledge +that although the aluminium sides of the +nacelle had been liberally peppered, most +of the nickel bullets had penetrated both +sides without doing vital damage. What +was the most serious injury was caused +to the propellers of Nos. 5 and 6 motors, +the feather-edged blades being chipped +by bullets. Since the spare blades had +already been used earlier in the voyage +replacement was out of the question. +The ragged edges meant at least a reduction +of ten miles an hour, even if the blades did +not fly to pieces when the propellers were +running at maximum speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">During the rest of the night the crew +worked with a will--patching, mending, +and "doping" the holed fabric and +carefully testing each repaired ballonet with +compressed air before refilling it with the +precious brodium.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the Federals brought quantities +of petrol, employing teams of mules +for the purpose, their petrol dump being +a good five miles from the scene of the +"Golden Hind's" unfortunate landing. +Every drop had to be passed through a +fine gauze strainer before being allowed to +enter the tanks, since foreign matter in the +fuel might easily result in motor trouble.</p> +<p class="pnext">Anxious to make amends, the +commandant also presented the baronet with +a quantity of excellent tobacco and cigars, +several native cakes made of maize, an +earthenware bowl filled with good butter, +and a wicker crate of fresh fruit.</p> +<p class="pnext">By dawn the refitting of the "Golden +Hind" was accomplished as far as lay in +the power of the dauntless crew. Now +came the crucial test: would the airship +rise under the lifting power of the reduced +volume of brodium?</p> +<p class="pnext">At seven o'clock the huge fabric showed +signs of buoyancy. A quarter of an hour +later the recording instruments showed +that only another thousand cubic feet of +gas was necessary to overcome the force +of gravity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We haven't that quantity, sir," +reported Chief Air Mechanic Hayward. +"But I would suggest, sir, that we release +our reserve gas into the for'ard ballonets. +That will lift her nose clear of the ground, +and the propellers will do the rest. Once +we're up, sir, it will be as easy as shelling peas."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can but try it," replied Fosterdyke. +"At any rate, if we can make +Panama we will manage with hydrogen +for the remaining ballonets. Right-o! +Pass the word when you're ready."</p> +<p class="pnext">At seven-thirty the crew were at their +stations. The for'ard portion of the +airship was straining at the guide ropes. +The declutched motors, purring gently +at a quarter throttle, were awaiting the +order that would transform them into +propulsive forces. Until the planes could +be brought into action the "Golden Hind" +was much in the nature of a rocket soaring +obliquely under the influence of a +self-contained impulsive charge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Throwing open one of the windows of +the riddled navigation-room, Fosterdyke +surveyed the crowd below. The Federal +troops, in spite of their bizarre uniforms +and varied equipment, were fairly well +disciplined. Those not actually engaged +in holding down the airship were formed +up at about fifty yards from the nacelle, +interested spectators of the largest airship +that had ever passed over the territory +of the Central American Republic.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let go!" shouted the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The order, interpreted by the Creole +who claimed to have a knowledge of +English, was obeyed promptly. The men +seemed to have an inkling of what would +happen if they did not, and they dropped the +guide ropes as though they were hot irons.</p> +<p class="pnext">Simultaneously, as the bows of the +"Golden Hind" lifted, Kenyon telegraphed +for "full ahead."</p> +<p class="pnext">With four of the propellers purring in +their accustomed way and the two after +ones roaring like gigantic buzzers, as the +jagged edges revolved rapidly in the air, +the "Golden Hind" ascended obliquely, +with her major axis inclined at an angle +of forty degrees to the horizontal.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Federal troops were waving their +nondescript headgear and brandishing +their rifles in token of farewell. +Doubtless they were cheering and shouting also, +but the noise of the airship's propellers +out-voiced all extraneous sounds.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a height of one thousand feet the +six planes were trimmed and brought into +action, with the result that the "Golden +Hind" settled down on almost an even keel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Four minutes later the scene of the +unfortunate "regrettable incident" was +lost to sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thanks be, we're up!" ejaculated Fosterdyke.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xx-wireless-reports"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id21">CHAPTER XX--WIRELESS REPORTS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Kenyon!" exclaimed the baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll cut Panama," was Fosterdyke's +astounding decision. "We'll carry straight +away on. She's doing splendidly, shortage +of brodium notwithstanding. We've plenty +of fuel, so it's a dash for Madeira."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How about reporting at the Panama +control?" asked Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll risk omitting that," replied Sir +Reginald. "Being mixed up in a potty +revolution is quite sufficient excuse for +non-compliance with regulations. It isn't as +if we were bound to report ourselves, as in +the case of Auckland. Bramsdean, you +might ask the wireless operator to report us +to Panama, and enquire if there's any news +of our rivals. Last night's affair has given +von Sinzig a very useful lead, I'm afraid."</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter hastened to give the necessary +orders. Presently he returned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No news of the Hun, sir," he reported. +"The Yankee airship made a bad landing +at Port Denison, Queensland, and was +totally destroyed by fire."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hard lines," remarked Fosterdyke, +feelingly. "Commodore Nye is a good sport. +I hope he wasn't injured?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Far from it," replied Bramsdean. "In +fact he's reported to have cabled to +Melbourne asking the Victorian Government +if they can sell him a Vickers-Vimy, so +that he can continue the contest."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good luck to him, then!" exclaimed +the baronet. "And the Jap?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Looks like a winner, sir," replied +Peter. "The quadruplane is reported +passing over Calcutta."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Next to beating Fritz myself, the Jap +is the fellow I hope will do it," remarked +Fosterdyke. "By Jove! I'd like to know +where von Sinzig is and what he's doing."</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind," now virtually a +heavier-than-air machine, was doing her +level best to make up for the unlucky +contretemps that had delayed her for eight +precious hours. Unaccountably the +reduction of the volume of brodium in her +ballonets, although the rigid aluminium +envelope had not appreciably contracted, +had resulted in a marked increase of speed. +Judging by the time she took to cover the +distance between Panama and Nevis, in +the Lesser Antilles--a distance of 1250 +miles--her speed over the water was not +far short of 190 miles an hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If those two props had not been +crippled," lamented Kenyon, "we'd be +doing a good two hundred."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm content," rejoined Fosterdyke, +"provided we can keep it up. If we don't lap +Z64 in another twelve hours, you can jolly +well boot me, Kenyon!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes later the wireless operator +appeared and handed Fosterdyke a long +written message.</p> +<p class="pnext">The baronet's face was a study of varying +emotions as he read the news. Kenyon, +watching him, wondered what had +happened. Not that he was surprised; after +the experiences of the last week or so, it +would take something very much out of +the common to take Kenneth Kenyon aback.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Evidently our friend von Sinzig has +butted in where he didn't ought," remarked +Fosterdyke, handing his companion the +slip of paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a general Marconigram +communication to the Press Agency, and read +as follows:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hobart, Tasmania, Thursday. The +schooner <em class="italics">Myrtle</em>, Abraham Prout, master, +arrived here this morning in a damaged +condition. Her master reports that in +lat. 43° 15' S., long. 141° 20' E., the schooner +was hit by a falling object, which Captain +Prout subsequently brought into port. +Examination showed that the object in +question was an airship observation box +or basket. In it, fortunately intact, and +with the safety vane locking the detonator-pin, +was an incendiary bomb stamped with +the broad arrow. Experts here agree that +the bomb is certainly not a British +Government's missile, and by certain markings on +the observation basket it is safe to assume +that it belonged to a German airship. The +basket and the bomb are being forwarded +to the Commonwealth Air Board Headquarters +at Sydney."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then came another report:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fremantle, Western Australia, +Thursday. Investigations amongst the ruins of +the aerodrome destroyed by fire yesterday +morning have resulted in the finding of +the remains of an aerial torpedo bearing +the British Government mark. This +discovery completely upsets the original +theory as to the cause of the outbreak. +Various rumours are afloat, but pending an +official declaration on the subject, the Press +is requested to confine reports to the actual +known facts. A further communication +will be made as soon as definite information +is forthcoming."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, von Sinzig is getting desperate," +remarked Kenyon. "It's a dead cert that +he thought we were berthed in the +Fremantle aerodrome that night. But +how in the name of goodness did he get so +far south? It was reported he went direct +from Java to New Zealand, passing north +of Australia."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He reported, you mean," corrected +Fosterdyke. "Trying to throw dust in +one's eyes is an old trick of Fritz's. +Personally, I don't believe he took the northern +route, and that he picked up our wireless +announcing our intention of making +Fremantle, and then tried to do us in."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's done for himself, any old way," +declared Kenyon. "I wonder if a Hun +can ever be a sportsman?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wonder," echoed the baronet. "I've +come across a good many Huns during the +last five years, but I'm hanged if I ever +met one who knew how to play the game."</p> +<p class="pnext">Half an hour later the "Golden Hind" +intercepted a wireless message to the effect +that the British, American, and French +Governments had issued joint instructions +for the German airship Z64 to be detained +at the next landing-place.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That looks like business," commented +Kenyon. "Von Sinzig's out of the running."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Unless he contrives to land in Spanish +territory," added the baronet. "There +are the Canary Islands, for instance. He +could, and probably will, claim immunity +as a political offender. I don't think he +can be extradited. You see, it has to be +proved to the hilt that he actually and by +deliberate intent dropped a bomb on the +aerodrome. No, I fancy we haven't lost +our Hun rival yet. He stands a chance of +romping home, so it's up to us to beat Z64."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'd like to know what the blighter's +doing now," said Kenneth, tentatively. +"Perhaps he's within fifty miles of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Provided he's fifty miles behind us, I +won't worry my head about him," declared +Sir Reginald. "I'm not particularly keen +on coming in touch with him on a dark +night. He might try his hand at another +dirty trick."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxi-von-sinzig-s-bid-for-safety"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id22">CHAPTER XXI--VON SINZIG'S BID FOR SAFETY</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Count Karl von Sinzig was in a particularly +bad temper. He had just learned, +by picking up various wireless messages, +that "the cat was out of the bag." In +other words, the discovery of the lost +observation basket had landed him in a +very awkward predicament.</p> +<p class="pnext">He blamed everyone and everybody save +himself. The luckless Unter-Leutnant, Hans +Leutter, came in for a very bad time +because he hadn't got rid of the second +bomb. The petty officer, who had +conscientiously seen that the bottle-screws +securing the basket were properly made +fast, was bullied and browbeaten because +the basket was torn away. The rest of +the crew, the makers of the airship, and +every person having anything to do with +the aerial contest also came in for abuse.</p> +<p class="pnext">The count was also puzzled at not being +able to intercept any messages from the +"Golden Hind" after the one announcing +her approach to Panama. Z64 had +reported at Colon, when, according to the +latest information, the British airship was +hard on the heels of her German rival.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now, almost the final straw, came +the general wireless message declaring that +Z64 was proscribed and liable to be detained +should she touch at any place belonging to +either of the <em class="italics">entente</em> nations.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke had accurately gauged his +rival's intentions. The knowledge that his +guilty secret was out compelled von Sinzig +to change his plans and make for Teneriffe, +whence, having replenished fuel, he ought +to be easily able to complete the last stage +of the round the world voyage.</p> +<p class="pnext">When about 300 miles to the westward +of the Canaries, but farther to the north +than von Sinzig hoped to be, owing to a +strong side-drift, Z64 encountered a violent +storm. In order to try to avoid the worst +of the terrific wind and rain, the airship +began to ascend, hoping to find better +conditions in the rarefied atmosphere.</p> +<p class="pnext">Z64 was ascending obliquely under the +action of her huge horizontal rudders and +was passing through a dense cloud when a +vivid flash of lightning, followed almost +immediately by a deafening crash of +thunder, appeared to penetrate the airship +through and through.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost every man on board shouted with +terror. They were fully convinced that the +hydrogen had ignited. There was a frantic +rush for the life-saving parachutes, until +Unter-Leutnant Hans Leutter reassured +the panic-stricken crew with the information +that the gas-bag had not taken fire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the airship, left to its own +devices, since the helmsman had abandoned +the wheel, had turned eight degrees to port +and was travelling at a rate of 120 miles +an hour on a course N. by W.</p> +<p class="pnext">Von Sinzig, who "had the wind up" as +badly as anybody, was nowhere to be found +for some time. Leutter even came to the +conclusion that his superior officer had +leapt overboard when the alarm of fire +had been raised; but after a lapse of +twenty-five minutes the count re-appeared, +looking very grey and haggard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think I must have been stunned, +Herr Leutter," he said in explanation.</p> +<p class="pnext">His subordinate accepted the excuse +without smiling incredulously. He had +seen his chief bolting for his very life. He +certainly did not look like being stunned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take charge for a while," continued +von Sinzig. "I am not feeling well. I +must go to my cabin and lie down."</p> +<p class="pnext">He staggered aft along the narrow +catwalk, while the Unter-Leutnant gave +orders for the airship to be brought back +on her original course.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was easier said than done. The +gigantic gas-bag was see-sawing erratically. +She had difficulty in answering to her +helm, and in spite of the fact that the +horizontal rudders were trimmed for ascending, +the airship was decreasing her altitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then reports began to come in from the +still "jumpy" crew. The engineer +reported that the after propeller was damaged; +another man announced that there was a +large gash in the aluminium envelope, and +that several of the after ballonets were +leaking rapidly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Further examination revealed the grave +fact that one of the propeller blades had +fractured, and the flying piece of metal had +penetrated the gas-bag at about eighty feet +from the after-end. So great had been the +velocity of the broken blade that it had +practically wrecked every gas compartment +in the stern of the envelope.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unter-Leutnant Leutter sent a man to +inform von Sinzig. He had to do that, +although he would have preferred to act upon +his own initiative. He was decidedly "fed +up" with his arrogant and craven skipper.</p> +<p class="pnext">The count arrived quickly. He led off +by abusing Leutter in front of several of +the crew for having disturbed him; then, +on being told of what had occurred, he +changed completely round and complimented +his subordinate on his sagacity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Z64's done, Herr kapitan," declared +Hans Leutter. "She's sinking rapidly. +Half an hour, perhaps, will find her falling +into the sea. We must take steps to +safeguard ourselves."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quite true," agreed the count. +"Although there will be enough buoyancy +in the envelope to keep it afloat for +hours--days even. What do you propose to do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Throw overboard everything of a +weighty nature, Herr kapitan," replied +the Unter-Leutnant. "We can empty the +petrol tanks, since we have no further use +for the motors. Meanwhile we must send +out a general wireless call for assistance +to all ships within a hundred or two +hundred kilometres of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">Count Karl von Sinzig thought this quite +an excellent idea. At least, he said so. At +the back of his mind he had a hazy notion +that even now there was a chance of +winning the Chauvasse Prize. There was +nothing in the conditions forbidding a +competitor----</p> +<p class="pnext">His ruminations were interrupted by the +appearance of the wireless operator, who +reported that both the transmitter and the +receiver were out of action, and that the +wireless cabin bore signs of having been +struck by lightning.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't you effect repairs?" demanded von Sinzig.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am sorry I cannot, Herr kapitan," +replied the operator.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A useful wireless man you are!" +commented the count, caustically.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man saluted and backed away +from his chief, congratulating himself that +he had come off so lightly. But von +Sinzig was rather pleased than otherwise +that the wireless was out of action. It +furnished him with a good excuse to put a +certain little plan into execution.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are there any vessels in sight?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">A look-out man had been scanning the +wide expanse of sea for the last ten minutes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing in sight, Herr kapitan," he announced.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time Z64 was well beyond the +storm-area. The sea, now a bare 3000 +feet below, was no longer white with angry +crested waves, but by the aid of binoculars +it could be seen that there was a long swell +running.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then there's nothing to be done unless +we make use of the Albatross," declared +von Sinzig. "I will go and look for a ship."</p> +<p class="pnext">Hans Leutter and those of the crew who +heard the count's resolve received the +proposal in stony silence. They all +recognised that their kapitan was violating +the traditions of the sea and the air by +being the first to abandon his command. +Of the crew at least four were capable of +flying the small but powerful monoplane, +so there was no excuse on that score of von +Sinzig being the only man able to take the +Albatross up.</p> +<p class="pnext">In obedience to a peremptory order the +crew hurriedly prepared the monoplane +for her flight. The Albatross, nominally +used for starting from and alighting on the +ground, was adapted for marine work by +having three small floats, the lower portions +of which were just above the wheel base +line, so that the monoplane could be used +either as an ordinary machine or as a seaplane.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the present circumstances von Sinzig +elected to start from the air. The +Albatross, suspended by a quick release +gear from the underside of the 'midship +gondola, was ready before the airship had +dropped to a thousand feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will be quite safe," reiterated the +count. "I'll send the first vessel I meet +to your assistance. It may be a matter of +a few hours. All ready? Let go."</p> +<p class="pnext">The monoplane's motor was already +running slowly. Directly von Sinzig felt +the Albatross had parted company with +her gigantic parent he opened "all out." At +a hundred and thirty miles an hour he +was soon lost to sight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's going east by north, I notice," +soliloquised Hans Leutter. "I will be +greatly surprised if he returns to Z64."</p> +<p class="pnext">And the count was of the same opinion. +He hadn't the faintest intention of flying +back to the airship. Nor was he +particularly keen on reporting Z64's predicament +to any vessel he sighted.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was out to win the Chauvasse Prize. +The sum went to the man who succeeded +in flying round the world in twenty days. +There was no stipulation to the effect that +only one airship, flying-boat, aeroplane, or +seaplane must be used throughout the +flight. Therefore, since the goal was within +a comparatively easy distance, he hoped to +complete the circuit in the Albatross, and +thus win the coveted prize.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxii-the-end-of-z64"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id23">CHAPTER XXII--THE END OF Z64</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"By Jove! Kenyon, what's that over on +our starboard bow?" exclaimed Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kenneth raised his binoculars and +focussed them on a dark object in the +direction indicated.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That," he replied after a brief survey, +"is a Zepp. There's not much mistake +about that. She is also in difficulties +apparently, since Zepps don't generally +assume an angle of forty-five degrees. +It is also reasonable to assume that it is +Z64, since we know that von Sinzig was +keeping a course slightly divergent to ours. +The southerly wind has evidently driven +her northward."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke was asleep in his cabin, but +upon hearing the news he hurried to the +navigation-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are we Pharisees or Good Samaritans, +sir?" enquired Kenyon. "Do we pass by +on the other side, or do we stop to render +assistance?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It strikes me that something more +than assistance is required," replied the +baronet. "Obviously our friend von +Sinzig is out of the running. His airship +is down and out. If there are any of the +crew on board, we'll be just in time to +prevent them losing the number of their mess."</p> +<p class="pnext">Z64 was in a very bad way. The after +part of the envelope was half submerged. +The rearmost gondola was entirely so. +The foremost car was rising and falling +owing to the slight buoyancy of the for'ard +ballonets. At one moment it was thirty +or forty feet above the water, at another it +was smacking the surface and sending the +spray far and wide.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep to windward," ordered Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are men still on board," replied +Peter. "A dozen more or less are hanging +on to the catwalk."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It'll be rather a proposition to get them +off," said the baronet. "We haven't a +boat; neither apparently have they, and +I don't like the idea of running alongside +a half-submerged gas-bag. With this heavy +swell there's no knowing what might happen."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We might run out a hawser and take +her in tow," suggested Kenyon. "I mean, +tow her until we get the crew off by means +of an endless line."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Might do," half agreed Fosterdyke. +"It would be decidedly awkward if our +head fell away and we drifted in broadside +on to the wreckage. We'll try it. Tell +Jackson to get a hawser ready, and see +there is a slip fitted in case we have to cast +off in a hurry."</p> +<p class="pnext">Already several of the ballonets that at +first sight seemed beyond repair had been +patched up, while the fortunate discovery +of two flasks of compressed brodium gave +the "Golden Hind" considerable buoyancy, +so that she was no longer dependent upon +the lift of her six planes. Yet the prospect +of having to take on board the weighty +Hun crew would seriously threaten the +buoyancy of the airship.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Luckily we are within sight of our +goal," said Fosterdyke. "We can sacrifice +a quantity of our stores. The reserve +fresh water tank can be started, too. +Two hundred and fifty gallons less of water +ought to make a considerable difference."</p> +<p class="pnext">Leading Hand Jackson, with the help of +four or five of the crew, soon made the +necessary preparations. By this time the +"Golden Hind" had approached to within +a hundred yards of the disabled Zeppelin, +the crew of which, half in doubt as to what +was going to happen, were signalling and +shouting frantically for help.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rescuing the crew of the <em class="italics">Hilda P. Murchison</em> +was child's play to this," +commented Kenyon. "Goodness only +knows how we are going to establish +communication. Her blessed envelope is +in the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">Thrice the "Golden Hind" sailed over +her crippled rival. The trailing hawser +glided over the rounded surface of the +gasbag, but none of the men made any +attempt to leave the gondolas and secure +the rope. It afterwards transpired that +the aluminium envelope was sagging and +whipping to such an extent that the vertical +shaft through it by which access could be +made to the upper surface of the gas-bag +was impracticable. Anyone attempting +to ascend by that way would almost +certainly be crushed to death.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't the lubbers see the hawser?" +asked Fosterdyke, impatiently. "Or have +they all got the wind up so frightfully that +they can't lift a hand to help themselves? +Get in that hawser, Jackson. We'll try +approaching to leeward this time and see +if they've got the sense to veer a rope."</p> +<p class="pnext">The manoeuvre required very careful +execution. The "Golden Hind," descending +until her fuselage was but a few feet +above the sea, approached carefully. She +had to be kept under control up to a certain +point, when way had to be taken off her. +If she stopped too soon, she would drift +away before communication could be +established; if she carried on even a few +yards too much, there was a danger of +her overlapping envelope colliding nose on +with the wrecked Zeppelin.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time the Huns showed decided +activity. They bent a line to an inflated +indiarubber lifebelt and threw the latter +into the sea. Unfortunately, they did not +take into account the fact that the +Zeppelin was drifting to leeward as fast as the +lifebelt. When they realised what was +happening one of the crew jumped +overboard and towed the line a hundred yards +or so away.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now there's a chance of doing something," +commented Fosterdyke, telegraphing +for a touch ahead with Nos. 1 and 2 motors.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the "Golden Hind" passed +immediately over the life-buoy a grapnel, +lowered from the after-part of the fuselage, +engaged the rope, and in a remarkably +short space of time a stout hawser +connected the British airship with the still +buoyant bows of the German.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke waited until the "Golden +Hind" had swung round and was pointing +"down wind," then he ordered easy ahead +with the two for'ard motors. This gave +sufficient tension to the hawser, which +was now inclined at an angle of about +thirty degrees.</p> +<p class="pnext">A "snatch-block" with an endless line +was then allowed to run down to the hawser.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now the rest is easy," declared Fosterdyke, +but for once at least he was greatly +mistaken.</p> +<p class="pnext">The first of the Huns arrived in a bowline +on board the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many are there?" asked Fosterdyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ve vos dwanty," replied the German, +holding up the fingers of both hands twice +in order to make his meaning clearer.</p> +<p class="pnext">More Huns emerging from the for'ard +gondola of Z64 confirmed the man's +statement. One was evidently an officer, but +his features did not in the least resemble +those of Count von Sinzig, whose photograph +had appeared some time back in the +illustrated papers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seventeen Huns were transhipped in +about as many minutes. The eighteenth +was half-way along the tautened hawser +when Fosterdyke shouted, "Let go!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Leading-Hand Jackson obeyed the order +instantly. The ring of the Senhouse slip +was knocked clear, and the hawser fell with +a splash into the sea. The "Golden Hind," +released from the drag of the partly +water-logged Zeppelin, shot ahead.</p> +<p class="pnext">She was only just in time. The baronet +had noticed a tongue of flame issuing from +the centre gondola of Z64. How the fire +was caused was a mystery, since had the +Huns wished to destroy the wreckage they +would have waited until the last man was +clear of the Zeppelin. Possibly the wiring +of the electric stove had short-circuited +when in contact with the salt water.</p> +<p class="pnext">In less than fifteen seconds from the +time the hawser had been slipped the +hydrogen escaping from the leaky ballonets +was ignited. The aluminium gasbag was +surrounded by flames. The heat caused +the gas in the still intact ballonets to +expand, affording sufficient lifting power to +heave the wreckage almost clear of the +water. The remaining Huns, keenly alive +to the terrible danger, promptly jumped +into the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then with a terrific glare the remaining +ballonets burst, and the shattered wreckage, +sizzling as it came into contact with the +cold water, disappeared beneath the surface, +leaving a steadily widening circle of oil +surmounted by a dense pall of black smoke +to mark the scene of the end of Z64.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the evil-smelling vapour had +dispersed the "Golden Hind," turning head +to wind, was over the spot searching for +possible survivors. For half an hour she +cruised round, but her efforts to rescue +the three Huns were unavailing. The men +had either been stunned by the explosion +or had been hit by falling wreckage. +Amongst them was Unter-Leutnant Hans +Leutter, who, by resolutely refusing to +leave his command until the rest of the +crew were safe, had proved that all Hun +officers were not of the von Sinzig type.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the rescued Germans could +speak English--but they were decidedly +reticent. In the back of their minds they +rather feared that they were in for a bad +time. They knew that their late kapitan +had been practically outlawed and that +he was "wanted" by the authorities for +having, amongst other misdemeanours, +destroyed the Fremantle aerodrome by +means of an incendiary bomb. They rather +expected that they would be blamed for +the acts of their fugitive superior.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the other hand, they were grateful +to their rescuers for having saved their lives, +and with typical Teutonic reasoning they +eventually decided that one way to repay +the kindness and to ingratiate themselves +in the eyes of the Englishman would be to +give away their former officers.</p> +<p class="pnext">The spokesman led off by informing Sir +Reginald Fosterdyke that Unter-Leutnant +Hans Leutter was the person who dropped +the incendiary bomb from the observation +basket in the hope that it would destroy +the "Golden Hind."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He was, of course, acting under Count +von Sinzig's orders," remarked Fosterdyke, +drily. "Where is Herr Leutter?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dead," was the reply. "He was one +of the three left on Z64."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And Count von Sinzig was one of the other two?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The German airman shrugged his +shoulders and made a gesture of disgust. +He still rankled over his kapitan's cowardly +desertion. It was long obvious to all the +survivors of Z64 that von Sinzig had no +intention of summoning aid. Eight hours +had elapsed since he began his flight in the +Albatross. In that time he must have +sighted several vessels, since the scene of +the disaster was not many miles from one +of the great Atlantic trade routes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Kapitan Count von Sinzig left Z64 soon +after daybreak this morning, mein Herr," +replied the German. "At seven o'clock, +to be exact."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Left--how?" demanded Fosterdyke, sharply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"In an Albatross monoplane. He was +last seen going east-north-east."</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke dismissed his informant and +turned to Kenyon and Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The cunning old rascal!" he exclaimed. +"I see his little game now. He's +completing the final stage by aeroplane. I +suppose by this time he's won the Chauvasse +Prize; but I don't envy him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will you enter a protest, sir?" asked Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Protest? Not much," replied the +baronet, emphatically. "These seventeen +Huns can do the protesting if they want to, +and I rather fancy they will."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's many a slip," quoted Kenyon. +"He may not complete the course after all."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiii-a-dumping-operation"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id24">CHAPTER XXIII--A DUMPING OPERATION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The heavily-laden "Golden Hind" +resumed her delayed journey. Both gas-bags +and planes had to do their full share of +work to keep the airship afloat. She was +flying low, but making good progress; but +so little was her reserve of buoyancy that +had the three Huns who perished in the +catastrophe to Z64 been saved, it was +doubtful whether Fosterdyke could have "carried on."</p> +<p class="pnext">To make matters worse, some of the +patches on the repaired ballonets were +leaking, for owing to the heat of the rubber +the solution was not holding well.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wonder if Drake's 'Golden Hind,' +when she arrived in the Thames after +circumnavigating the globe, was patched +up like we are," remarked Kenyon. "It +took Drake three long years to do the trick, +and we look like completing our voyage +in under seventeen days."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If the old 'bus holds out," added +Bramsdean. "'Tany rate, no one can say +we haven't done our bit. The 'Golden +Hind's' been a regular sort of aerial lifeboat. +That is some satisfaction. I'd rather we +did that than win the race."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I suppose our passengers won't get up +to any of their Hunnish tricks?" observed +Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trust Fosterdyke for that," replied +Peter grimly. "He's had 'em placed in +the dining-saloon. (Fortunately, we won't +require many more meals.) They can amuse +themselves there without getting into +mischief. There's one of our fellows stationed +outside to keep the blighters in order."</p> +<p class="pnext">Just then the baronet came upon the scene.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Von Sinzig looks like pulling it off," +he observed. "A wireless from the +S.S. <em class="italics">Wontwash</em> reports that a monoplane +passed over the ship at 6 P.M., flying east. +According to the position given, the +<em class="italics">Wontwash</em> was only thirty-five miles west of +Gibraltar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then perhaps he's back at his hangar +by this time," commented Peter. "Any +news of the others?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes; Commodore Theodore Nye has +been unable to get hold of another 'bus yet, +although two of the Australian R.A.F. pilots +are bringing him a 'Bristol' machine from +Melbourne. He's out of the running. That +he admits, but he means to complete the +course, even if it takes him six months."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And the Jap?" asked Kenyon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a word," replied the baronet. +"He's keeping quiet; but mark my words, +that quadruplane will turn up unexpectedly. +If his 'bus had had British motors, +he would have romped home in less than a week."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What engines has he?" asked Bramsdean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Japanese," replied Fosterdyke. "Passable +imitations of ours and good up to a +certain point; but give me British engines +all the jolly old time."</p> +<p class="pnext">Although the baronet made frequent +enquiries of the operator, no wireless +messages concerning von Sinzig came through.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps he's crashed," suggested Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not he," replied Kenyon. "That +Hun's got the luck of a cat with nine lives. +He's playing his own game."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is a game," added Bramsdean. +"Loading that crowd of Huns on to us +is like a man in a mile race chucking his +gear to another competitor and telling him +to hang on. I don't wish the blighter any +harm, but I do hope that if he pulls off the +money prize they'll pay him in German +marks at the pre-war rate of exchange. +That'd make him look blue!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Although no news came in concerning +their Hun rival, the officers and crew of +the "Golden Hind" began to be +bombarded with wireless messages from Britons +in every quarter of the globe. All were of +the most encouraging nature, for the story +of Fosterdyke's airship and her adventures +and misadventures--all more or less +distorted owing to the lack of authentic +detail--had awakened world-wide interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were cheery messages from +patriotic Britons; incentive ones from +sportsmen, to whom the suggestion of a +race appealed more than did the fact that +the contest was one of endurance +calculated to uphold the prestige of British +flying men. Frenchmen, Dutchmen, +Norwegians, Americans, and Japanese all +sent greetings to the intrepid British airmen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Didn't know we had so many friends," +remarked Fosterdyke. "Sportsmanlike of +those Americans and Japs, too, when they +have representatives in the show."</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind" was now approaching +the regular mail line, where routes to +and from the Cape and round the Horn +unite in the neighbourhood of Las Palmas.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll signal the first vessel we sight," +decided Sir Reginald, "and get her to +relieve us of our cargo of Fritzes. The +sooner the better, because several of the +ballonets are showing distinct symptoms +of porosity."</p> +<p class="pnext">Five minutes later the airship had slowed +down and had swung round on a course +parallel to a homeward-bound Dutchman.</p> +<p class="pnext">The skipper of the latter, when appealed +to by megaphone, stoutly refused to +receive the seventeen Germans. He gave +no reason why he should not do so, and +without waiting for further parley rang +for full speed ahead.</p> +<p class="pnext">A little later a French auxiliary barque +was sighted, bound south.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke made no attempt to intercept her.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are limits," he observed. +"Dumping those Huns on board an +outward-bound Frenchman is one of them. +Now for the next vessel. Three for luck."</p> +<p class="pnext">The third was a British tramp, bound +from Montevideo for Naples. Her "Old +Man," although ignorant that a Round-the-World +aerial race was in progress or even +in contemplation, readily agreed to help +the "Golden Hind" on her way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll find use for 'em," he added with +infinite relish. "They'll work their +passage, never you fear. Three times I've +been torpedoed without warning, and on +two occasions Fritz popped up to jeer at +us struggling in waterlogged boats."</p> +<p class="pnext">While conversation was in progress +between Fosterdyke and the master of +the S.S. <em class="italics">Diaphanous</em>, a wire hawser had +been lowered from the bows of the airship +and made fast to the tramp's after-winch. +Since she was steaming dead in the eye of +the wind there was no necessity for her to +alter helm. The "Golden Hind," pitching +slightly, was towed astern of and thirty +feet above the tramp. As the airship's +course was almost identical with that of +the tramp Fosterdyke conscientiously kept +the propellers revolving, since, even in the +present circumstances, he did not wish to +give his rivals a chance of raising a protest +on the score that the flight of the British +airship had been mechanically aided.</p> +<p class="pnext">The seventeen Germans showed no great +enthusiasm at being placed on board the +tramp. At first they imagined that the +<em class="italics">Diaphanous</em> was bound for the Pacific. +Even the prospect of being dumped ashore +at Naples was not at all attractive.</p> +<p class="pnext">When they did make a move they +descended the rope-ladder so slowly and +deliberately that it was obvious they +meant to detain the "Golden Hind" as +much as possible.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I see through their little game," +exclaimed Fosterdyke, angrily. "Make 'em +get a move on, Jackson."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Leading Hand wanted no further +bidding. Ably seconded by Chief Air +Mechanic Hayward, he gave vent to such a +flow of forcible language, accompanied by +realistic dumbshow, that the Huns changed +their tactics completely. It was even +necessary to check their impetuosity, lest +the ladder should break under the weight of +too many men descending simultaneously. +Then, with a joyous toot on her syren +as the hawser was cast off, and a +stentorian greeting from the Mercantile Marine +skipper, the <em class="italics">Diaphanous</em> gathered way, +while the "Golden Hind," almost as +buoyant as of yore, rose steadily and rapidly +against the gentle breeze.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two hours later land--the Moroccan +coast--was sighted on the starboard bow. +Then fifty minutes later Fosterdyke touched +Kenyon on the shoulder and pointed dead +ahead to a faint object rising above the +horizon.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Guess we've done the trick, barring +accidents," he observed. "That's Gibraltar."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiv-within-sight-of-success"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id25">CHAPTER XXIV--WITHIN SIGHT OF SUCCESS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Count Karl von Sinzig had not started +upon his long solo flight in the +Albatross without studiously calculating his +chances. He knew the machine and its +capabilities, and, given ordinary luck, he +saw no reason why he should not make a +landing on Spanish soil, replenish fuel, and +carry on to his hangar in Estremadura +before his hated rival arrived at Gibraltar. +Even if there were delays in obtaining +petrol, he still had a useful lead, thanks to +his twelve hours' start in advance of the +"Golden Hind." The two hundred extra +miles he had to cover beyond Gibraltar +was a mere bagatelle--a question of an +hour and twenty minutes' flight.</p> +<p class="pnext">He rather regretted that the accident +to Z64 had not occurred nearer the +African coast; but realising that he was +lucky to be able to carry on, he ran the +risk of a prolonged flight over the sea with +comparative equanimity.</p> +<p class="pnext">Within an hour of leaving the wrecked +Zeppelin he sighted two vessels, but with +callous indifference to his promise to his +crew he made not the slightest attempt to +communicate with either of them. He +was "all out" to win the much-needed +Chauvasse Prize. Even his indictment by +the various Allied Governments hardly +worried him. Time to consider what he +should do in the matter when he was safe +on Spanish soil, he decided.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Albatross, one of the best types of +German machines, was practically an +automatic flier. Von Sinzig could keep her +on her course by an occasional pressure +with his feet upon the rudder-bar, thus +leaving both hands free. He was able to +eat and drink, to study maps and make +observations without risk of the +monoplane getting out of control, while if +needs be he could leave the pilot's seat, +knowing that the Albatross would hold +on automatically for several minutes with +only a slight deviation in direction and +hardly any difference in altitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although only ten degrees north of the +Tropics, it was bitterly cold at ten thousand +feet; but the count had taken due +precautions to combat the low temperature. +He was warmly clad in orthodox flying +kit, including sheepskin boots, fleece-lined +leather jacket and trousers, all +electrically heated. He had four thermos +flasks filled with hot coffee and a pocket +flask of brandy. For provisions he carried +concentrated food, beef lozenges, and Strasburg sausages.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hour after hour passed. The Albatross +was flying magnificently, her pilot holding +on to a compass course, after making due +allowances for the "drift" of the air +current. He had based this allowance +upon the direction of the wind when he +left Z64; but unknown to him the light +breeze had shifted eight points and was +now blowing slightly ahead of his port +beam. Then, having backed, it presently +veered six points and blew with increasing +force right against the Albatross; but von +Sinzig was for the present in ignorance +of the fact. Had he known that instead +of a following breeze of about twenty miles +an hour there was a head wind approaching +the neighbourhood of thirty-five miles, +he would not have been so chock-a-block +with confidence.</p> +<p class="pnext">When, at the end of the time limit he +had set, he was not in sight of land he +began to feel anxious. Half an hour later, +as he was still without a glimpse of the +coast, his misgivings increased, but ten +minutes later he picked up land on his right. +This was a puzzle. He had expected to +make a landfall right ahead, and its +appearance in an unexpected quarter mystified +him. In point of fact he was in the +neighbourhood of Cape Blanco, or nearly 250 +miles south of Cape St. Vincent, where he +hoped to pass over on his way to Estremadura.</p> +<p class="pnext">A knowledge of the Moroccan coast +obtained during a cruise in a German +gunboat at the time of the Agadir crisis +stood von Sinzig in good stead. He was +able to recognise certain landmarks in +spite of viewing them from a different +aspect, and accordingly he turned the +monoplane in a north-easterly direction, +keeping parallel to the African coast, +The new direction would take him a +little to the eastward of Cadiz; rather +nearer that port than Gibraltar. He had +not the slightest inclination to fly over +the latter fortress. Rather vaguely he +wondered whether he would sight the +"Golden Hind" making thither, since, +sooner or later, unless a mishap occurred, +the rival aviators must cut each other's routes.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was now painfully aware of the +change of wind. The direction of the +smoke from several steamers, and the +sight of a full-rigged ship running in a +south-westerly direction told him that. +Additionally, as he saw by the aid of his +binoculars, that sailing ship was running +under topsails only. That meant something +more than a stiff breeze--and against +this he had to contend.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly he detected an ominous cough +of the motor. He knew that the petrol +supply was running low, but he had no +idea that the gauge registered so little. +The tank was practically empty.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Himmel!" gasped the dumfounded +Hun. "Will she last out?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He mentally measured the distance +between him and the Spanish coast. A good +ten miles. With a following wind he could +glide that distance from that altitude, but +not with this infernal head wind!</p> +<p class="pnext">The engine was running jerkily. Clearly +its spasmodic coughing betokened the fact +that it would soon cease duty from sheer +inanition. Its life-blood was being cut off +at the heart of the machine--its petrol tank. +That head wind. How von Sinzig cursed +it! Had it been in his favour, even +if he failed to volplane as far as the +shore, the Albatross, being provided with +floats, could have drifted on the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the midst of his incoherent +utterances von Sinzig realised that the motor +had at last given out. He trimmed the +ailerons and prepared for a long glide, +but, as he had feared, the head wind made +it a matter of impossibility for the +Albatross to cover more than two miles before +she alighted.</p> +<p class="pnext">It did not take long to complete the +volplane, although the pilot nursed his +machine to the best of his ability in the +hope of prolonging the oblique descent.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Albatross "landed" badly, her +floats striking the water with a resounding +smack. The count, having done his best, +could do no more. He sat smoking a +cigarette and keeping a look out for a +vessel that would come to his assistance. +There were several away to the south'ard, +for he had alighted well to the north'ard +of the regular steamer track between +Gibraltar and Cape St. Vincent. They were +too far off to notice the little Albatross.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then von Sinzig made the disconcerting +discovery that the starboard float was +leaking. Already, owing to this cause, +the monoplane was listing so that her +starboard wing-tip was touching the water. +This fact, combined with the knowledge +that he was momentarily drifting farther +and farther away from land, did not tend +to improve the Hun's peace of mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half an hour later, during which time +the monoplane had drifted at least three +miles, and was being considerably +buffeted by the rising sea, von Sinzig noticed +that a vessel was bearing down upon the +crippled Albatross.</p> +<p class="pnext">As she approached, the count saw that +she was a small motor-yacht of about +forty or fifty tons, and that she was flying +the burgee of the "Real Club Mediterraneo" +and the Spanish ensign. The sight +of the Spanish colours gave von Sinzig +renewed hope.</p> +<p class="pnext">The yacht slowed down and lost way +a few yards to the wind'ard of the +monoplane. For so small a vessel she carried +a large crew. There were half a dozen +men for'ard, clad in white canvas jumpers +and trousers and wearing red woollen +caps. Aft were two gorgeously attired +individuals in gold-laced yachting uniforms.</p> +<p class="pnext">Von Sinzig, who was a fair Spanish +linguist, hailed them. A rope thrown from +the bows of the yacht fell across the nose +of the Albatross. This the count caught +and secured.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can you supply me with petrol, señor?" +asked von Sinzig. "My tank is empty. +A hundred litres will be enough."</p> +<p class="pnext">One of the gold-laced men shook his head +and extended his hands, palms uppermost.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am desolated at being compelled to +refuse your excellency's modest request," +he replied, "but we have paraffin engines +and carry only a small quantity of petrol +for starting purposes. How far have you come?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nearly round the world," replied the +Hun, grandiloquently. He could not resist +the typically Teutonic trait of self-advertisement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dios!" exclaimed the Spaniard, twirling +his long moustachios. "Then you are +Count Karl von Sinzig, who left Quintanur, +in the province of Estremadura, sixteen or +seventeen days ago?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am," admitted von Sinzig, proudly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Spaniard said a few words in an +undertone to his companion. The other's +eyes gleamed and he nodded his head vigorously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We will take you on board and tow +your machine," announced the owner of +the yacht.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To Cadiz or Huelva?" asked the count.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Accept ten thousand regrets, count," +replied the Spaniard. "We must take +you to Gibraltar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I have no wish to be taken to +Gibraltar," declared von Sinzig. "I will +give a thousand pesetas to be landed at Cadiz."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Don again shrugged his shoulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No doubt my crew would be glad of +your offer of a thousand pesetas, count," +he replied, "but since they know that +the English have offered a reward equal +to five thousand pesetas----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You would sell me?" demanded von +Sinzig, furiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I sell you, señor? Not I--a caballero +of Spain! You insult me by the suggestion. +I recollect, however, that I once +had a brother. He was lost at sea, while +travelling on an English vessel from New +York to Cadiz. Like you, he wanted to +land at Cadiz, but he was not able to do +so. For why? Because the ship was +torpedoed by one of your ever-accursed +U-boats. Therefore I have a small +measure of revenge when I hand you over to +the English authorities at Gibraltar. Be +pleased, señor, to step aboard."</p> +<p class="pnext">Covered by an automatic pistol, Count +Karl von Sinzig had no option but to obey. +In the race round the world he was down +and out.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxv-fire"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id26">CHAPTER XXV--FIRE!</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Sir Reginald Fosterdyke laid down his +pencil and uttered an exclamation of intense +satisfaction. He had just "shot the sun" +and had finished working out his position.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Another hour will see us at Gib., lads," +he announced joyously. "Then there'll +be some mafficking. What's your +programme? Going to pack your suit cases +and back by the Madrid-Paris express?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are not leaving the 'Golden Hind' +at Gibraltar?" asked Kenneth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," replied the baronet. "But I +must certainly get some repairs executed +before I resume my flight to England. I +thought, perhaps, you were in a hurry to +get home."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's no immediate hurry, sir," +declared the chums, simultaneously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A few more days won't matter," began +Kenyon; but before he could proceed with +his explanation the alarm bell rang +violently and continuously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's wrong now?" exclaimed +Fosterdyke, snatching up the voice tube.</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter, glancing aft through the window +of the navigation-room, which being raised +gave a clear view over the roof of the rest +of the nacelle, saw at once what was amiss.</p> +<p class="pnext">Dense volumes of smoke, tinged with dull +red flames, were pouring from the after-end +of the fuselage. Fanned by the rush of +the airship, the black vapour was streaming +in its wake like a fox's tail.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaving Kenyon to take charge of the +navigation-room, and cautioning him to +keep the "Golden Hind" dead in the eye +of the wind, and as fast as she could possibly +go, Fosterdyke and Peter hastened aft.</p> +<p class="pnext">They found the alley-way thick with +smoke, for on the well-known principle that +"the wind follows the ship" the draught +was carrying the fumes within the nacelle +in a forward direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">A man wearing a smoke helmet brushed +past them. It was Hayward going to +find some fire-extinguishers. Others of the +crew, who had hastily donned masks to +protect themselves from the choking vapour, +were busily engaged in hurling pyrene into +the seat of the conflagration.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although the speed of the "Golden +Hind" through the air fanned the flames, +Fosterdyke had done well to order speed +to be maintained. The velocity had the +effect of compelling the fire to trail astern +instead of spreading upwards and thus +destroying the envelope. Even as it was +the heat had caused the non-inflammable +brodium to expand, giving the envelope +a tendency to trim down by the head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Petrol tank to No. 5 motor, sir," +reported a grimy and perspiring mechanic, +who through sheer exhaustion and being +partly gassed by the noxious fumes had to +withdraw from the fray. "Went up all +of a sudden, like. Never saw such a flare +up in all my life, sir; but we're getting it +under."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was indeed a stiff fight. In a few +seconds the area of the fire had attained +such large dimensions that it was +impossible to reach the actual source. The +fire-fighters had first to subdue the fringe +of the conflagration, and by the time they +had done this several of them were <em class="italics">hors de +combat</em> by reason of the suffocating gases +thrown off by the oxygen-exterminating +pyrene. Above the crackling of the flames +came the sharp tang of the suspension +wires holding the nacelle to the aluminium +envelope as they parted under the terrific +heat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not only were the crew faced with the +danger of the fire getting the upper hand; +the while there was the chance of a portion +of the fuselage becoming detached from the +gas-bag, and the prospect of being hurled +through space from a height of eight or +nine thousand feet above the sea was one +that might well in cold blood put fear into +the heart of the bravest of the brave. But +in the heat of action the crew, knowing the +danger, faced the risk manfully. Working +in relays, they plied the flames with the +fire-extinguishing chemicals. As fast as +one man fell out, temporarily overcome +by the fumes and the terrific heat, another +took his place until the fire was overcome. +Even then the danger was not over. There +was still a possibility of the smouldering +fuselage being fanned into a blaze. Parts +of the aluminium framework and panelling +were warped and twisted into fantastic +shapes. Snake-like coils of wire indicated +the fact that several of the highly +important connections between the fuselage +and the envelope had been burnt through. +Whether a sufficient number of tension wires +remained to adequately support the afterpart +of the nacelle remained a matter of doubt.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unaccountably the petrol tank feeding +No. 5 motor had taken fire. The pipes and +unions had been frequently examined and +found to be in good order. In fact, +Hayward had personally inspected the fittings +of that particular tank less than a quarter +of an hour before the outbreak.</p> +<p class="pnext">The damage was serious. Both Nos. 5 +and 6 motors were out of action, the former +showing signs of crashing through the +charred framework of the fuselage. The +flames had spread to Fosterdyke's cabin, +completely gutting it. Only a few +aluminium frames were left, and these, blackened +and bent, trailed forlornly astern like a +gaunt skeleton.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the contraction of the brodium +after the fire had been quelled the envelope, +instead of tending to tilt aft, now showed a +tendency to droop. The heat had melted +the solder of the union pipes through which +the gas was passed either to or from the +metal pressure flasks, and several thousand +feet of brodium had escaped.</p> +<p class="pnext">Driven only by four propellers, her +preciously scanty supply of brodium sadly +depleted, and with the controls of the two +after planes damaged by the flames, the +"Golden Hind" was in a perilous state. +She was just able, and no more, to +overcome the attraction of gravity. How long +she would be able to maintain herself in +the air was a problem of supposition.</p> +<p class="pnext">Had the "Golden Hind" been supported +by hydrogen gas nothing could have saved +her. The overcoming of the flames was a +triumph for the fire-resisting properties of +brodium. The patent gas had been put to +one of the severest tests--an actual fire in +mid-air--and had emerged with flying colours.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the time of the alarm being raised +until the fire was subdued only half an +hour had elapsed. The smoke-grimed and +fatigued crew were glad to rest, while +Fosterdyke and Peter returned to the +navigation-room, there to wash and replace +their singed and reeking clothes with others +from Kenyon's and Bramsdean's kit-bags. +The baronet had to borrow a suit. The +one he was wearing was in holes, while +all his others on board were destroyed +when his cabin was burnt out.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke was cheerful. In fact he +was jocular. He realised that things might +have been far worse; he was glad to find +that the "Golden Hind" was still +navigable and that none of his crew had +sustained injury.</p> +<p class="pnext">"This comes of boasting, Kenyon," he +remarked. "I said we'd be in Gib. in an +hour. We stood a chance of being in +'Kingdom Come.' What's she doing now?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not more than eighty, sir," replied +Kenneth, "and we've a stiffish wind to +contend with."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Eighty, eh? Not so dusty, considering +we're trailing the wreckage of my cabin +astern, and there's only four props to +shove us along. She's dipping, though."</p> +<p class="pnext">"She is, sir," agreed Kenyon, gravely. +"I've trimmed the planes to their +maximum. That tends to shove her nose +up, but if I didn't she'd sit on her tail."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll finish at the tape like an aerial +Cleopatra's Needle," declared Fosterdyke. +"Hello! There's Tangier. That strip of +blue you can just see beyond is the Straits +of Gibraltar. We're a bit to the east'ard +of our course."</p> +<p class="pnext">Another half an hour of strenuous +battling against heavy odds brought the +"Golden Hind" immediately to the west +of Ceuta. Ahead could be discerned the +famous rock, although viewed from an +altitude and "end on" its well-known +appearance as a lion couchant was absent. +But the "Golden Hind" had shot her bolt. +"We're baulked at the tape," declared +Fosterdyke. "This head wind's doing us. +Hard lines, but we must take things as we +find them."</p> +<p class="pnext">Like von Sinzig he had been beaten by +the head wind, but Fosterdyke, instead of +raving and cursing like his German rival, +accepted the situation philosophically. It +was hard lines, failing within sight of the +goal; but the baronet kept a stiff upper lip. +He had done everything humanly possible +to achieve his aim. He could do no more.</p> +<p class="pnext">The "Golden Hind," inclined at an +angle of sixty degrees, was dropping slowly +but surely. With her remaining motors +running all out she was unable to overcome +the pull of gravity. Even as she dropped, +her progress towards her goal was maintained +at a rate of a bare five miles an hour +above and against that of the wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every man on board was holding on like +grim death. With the floor as steep as +the roof of a house there was nothing to be +done but hold on. The ballonets were +practically empty save the four or five +for'ard ones. The propellers were now +virtually helices--whirling screws that +strove valiantly but unavailingly to lift the +huge bulk of the airship in an almost +vertical direction. Should the motors +fail to function, then the "Golden Hind" +would drop like a stone. As it was +she was falling surely and slowly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already officers and men had donned +their inflated indiarubber lifebelts. There +was not the slightest sign of panic. The +men, although keenly disappointed at +failure within sight of success, were joking +with each other.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand by to jump, all hands," shouted +Fosterdyke. "Keep clear of the raffle, +and you'll be as right as rain. There are +half a dozen vessels within a couple of miles of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">Some of the men slid along the sloping +alley-way to the side doors. Others tore +away the large celluloid windows in the +cabins and motor-rooms, so as to be able +to jump clear directly the fuselage touched the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two chums had drawn themselves +through the windows of the navigation-room +and were standing on the blunt bows +and steadying themselves by the tension +wires running from the normal top of the +nacelle to the underside of the envelope.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the four motors running to the +last the "Golden Hind" dropped into the +sea. Her projecting envelope was the first +to come into contact with the water. The +ballonets, practically air-tight +compartments, checked the downward movement, +while the whole of the hitherto inclined +bulk, pivoted as it were by the water-borne +stern, dropped until it resumed its normal +horizontal position.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke alone had remained in the +navigation-room. Directly he saw that +the airship was resting temporarily on the +surface and was beginning to gather way +like a gigantic hydroplane he switched off +the remaining motors.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Every man for himself," he shouted.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxvi-well-played-sir"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id27">CHAPTER XXVI--"WELL PLAYED, SIR!"</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Water poured into the open doors and +windows and through the charred and +torn stern of the nacelle.</p> +<p class="pnext">The aluminium envelope, not built to +withstand abnormal stress, began buckling +amidships. Tension wires, no longer in +tension but in compression, were spreading +in all directions as the huge gas-bag settled +down upon the already foundering nacelle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every one of the crew realised the danger +of being entangled in the wreckage. In a +trice the water was dotted with heads and +shoulders of life-belted swimmers as the +crew struck out to get clear of the sinking +airship, and presently Fosterdyke was +surrounded by a little mob of undaunted men.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thank heaven!" ejaculated the baronet, +after a hasty count. "None missing. +Keep together, lads, there's a vessel bearing +down on us."</p> +<p class="pnext">Not one but four craft were hastening +to the rescue. Amongst these was the +T.B.D. <em class="italics">Zeebrugge</em>, which, eighteen days +previously, had gone to search for the +derelict "Golden Hind" and had placed +Sir Reginald Fosterdyke on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately the water was warm, and +in spite of a fairly high sea running the late +crew of the "Golden Hind" were taken +aboard the destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke and the others, declining to +go below, stood on deck and watched the +end of the airship that had taken them +safely for nearly twenty-eight thousand +miles, to perish within five miles of the +Rock of Gibraltar, her official starting-point.</p> +<p class="pnext">The end was not long delayed. The +buckling of the aluminium envelope resulted +in ballonet after ballonet collapsing under +the pressure of water. The fuselage had +already disappeared. Bow and stern, nearly +four hundred feet apart, reared themselves +high in the air; then, with a terrific rush +of mingled brodium and air that caused a +seething cauldron around each of the +extremities of the envelope, the last of the +"Golden Hind" sank beneath the waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rough luck losing such a fine airship," +commiserated the Lieut.-Commander of the destroyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is," agreed Fosterdyke, feelingly. +"Especially as she is my own design and +I superintended every bit of her +construction. It was a pity, too, we didn't +hang on for another half an hour. I'd have +jockeyed her over the Rock somehow."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was a brilliant achievement, Sir +Reginald," said the naval officer. "Every +sportsman will sympathise with you, but +I'm sure they'll shout: 'Well played, sir!'"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any news of the other competitors?" asked Peter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes. Commodore Nye, the Yankee, +is still stranded in Australia, but I suppose +you know that. Count Hyashi, the Jap, +crashed somewhere near Saigon. He, too, +was almost home."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Jolly hard lines," murmured Kenyon, +sympathetically. "Was he hurt?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, hardly bruised, but a bit shaken. +Engine failure, they say," continued the +Lieut.-Commander. "That leaves only the +Hun to be accounted for."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And I suppose he's completed the +circuit?" remarked Fosterdyke, questioningly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The naval officer laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Completing the circuit of a prison-yard!" +he exclaimed. "That's about his +mark. A Spanish yacht brought Count von +Sinzig in this morning and handed him +over to the Port Admiral. It'll be a +three years' job, I fancy. Huns must +learn that they can't bomb British air +stations in peace time with impunity."</p> +<p class="pnext">The destroyer ran alongside the +dockyard. Fosterdyke and the rest of his +crew disembarked. On the jetty they +were met by several of the chief Naval, +Military, and Air Force officials and two +representatives of the International Air Board.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke looked puzzled. He didn't +want commiseration, but congratulation +seemed a bit out of place.</p> +<p class="pnext">"On what grounds, Admiral?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"On winning the Chauvasse Prize for +completing the circumnavigation of the +globe," replied the senior International +Air Board representative, speaking instead +of the Port Admiral. "Fact! You've +won it fairly and squarely."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But----" began the astonished baronet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You have," persisted the official. "Do +you recollect when the airship broke adrift? +The destroyer went in pursuit and put you +on board. That was within three miles or +so of Ceuta. The same destroyer picks +you up out of the water five miles from +'Gib.' Consequently, you've more than +completed the circuit, and although the +official start was from Gibraltar I don't +think there will be any difficulty in +obtaining the International Air Board's +decision to the effect that you've won."</p> +<p class="pnext">And that was exactly what happened. +Had it not been for Count von Sinzig's +underhand work in employing Enrico Jaures +to cast adrift the "Golden Hind," +Fosterdyke would not have completed his aerial +voyage round the world. By the irony +of fate the Hun had enabled his rival to score.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fosterdyke won the Chauvasse Prize +and the honour of being the first man to fly +round the world. Needless to say Kenyon +and Bramsdean and the rest of the crew +were not forgotten. Honours were heaped +upon the intrepid airmen. They were +lionised, fêted, and praised to such an extent +that they were in danger of developing +"swelled heads."</p> +<p class="pnext">But Kenyon and Bramsdean knew that +the achievement would be but a nine days' +wonder. Having attempted and won, they +were content to return to their profession, +their financial standing much increased +by their shares in the big prize. They +had enough honours and diplomas to +satisfy them, but what they prized most +was a certificate from the Royal Humane +Society for saving the crew of the <em class="italics">Hilda P. Murchison</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So, after all," declared Kenyon, "we +did do something useful, old son!"</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line">PRINTED BY PURNELL AND SONS<br /> +PAULTON (SOMERSET) AND LONDON</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> +<div class="backmatter"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39488 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |