CHAPTER X
REBUILDING THE COMET
"Where's that monkey wrench?"
"Say, has anybody seen my ruler?"
"Hand over that hammer, will you, Bob?"
"Look out there, Jerry, or that piece of scantling will be down on yourhead!"
"Give me a hand here, somebody, I can't shift this exhaust pipe allalone."
"Hey! Don't put your foot through those hydroplanes, Ned. Do you wantto break 'em?"
These were only a few of the expressions, commands, entreaties andwarnings that could be heard coming from the big barn, back of the homeof Jerry Hopkins, where, a few days after the arrival of our heroesfrom their trip to Durham, they began work at rebuilding the _Comet_.They had decided on making several minor changes to their motor-ship,in addition to equipping it for work on the water, and they found thetask a little harder than anticipated.
But they succeeded in getting the help of Mr. Glassford, who hadoriginally planned the _Comet_, and such assistance did he give,together with that of some trained mechanics whom he hired, that itseemed possible to make at least a trial trip in about another week.
"And then we'll sail for the balloon and aeroplane meet at Danforth,"remarked Jerry, pausing in the work of building the hydroplanes, forthat was his special feature, and he wanted to have them just right.
"I only hope Mr. Jackson stays there until we arrive," spoke Ned. "He'sso queer that he may leave at any time, and then we'll have anotherchase after him."
"Oh, he'll stay until the races start at least, I think, fellows," saidBob. "You know the secretary of the meet wrote us that Mr. Jackson wasgoing to try for a prize in his new dirigible balloon, and he won't goaway without making a flight. The meet is delayed in opening, you know,and I think we have plenty of time."
"If we hadn't, I wouldn't have proposed going this way," came fromJerry. "We could go out in a train or by auto, and get to him morequickly than by delaying to rebuild our airship. But I thought, as longas we did have the time we might just as well make an air trip."
"Sure," agreed Ned. "Besides I think if we arrive at the meet in the_Comet_ it will create something of a sensation, and if Mr. Jacksonis there he'll be more apt to think we are 'some pumpkins' than if wearrived by train or auto."
"Was your father much disappointed that we didn't land him in Durham,and get him to sign the papers?" asked Bob.
"He sure was, Chunky," replied the merchant's son. "But he knew itwasn't our fault. He has great hopes from our trip to Danforth,however."
"Any let-up in his business troubles?" inquired Jerry.
"No, they're worse, if anything. Dad's enemies are pressing him hard,but he thinks he can stand them off until we get to Mr. Jackson, andenlist his aid. It's going to be quite a task, though. Poor dad! I wishI could help him!"
"You _are_ helping him!" insisted the fat youth, as he stopped to restafter carrying a brace across the barn to where it was to be fittedinto the airship. "You are doing all you can, and we're helping you."
"I realize that, and I can't thank you fellows enough," spoke Nedfeelingly, for his father's troubles had made quite an impression onthe lad, as, indeed, they also had on his chums, and they were allanxious to see them over. In fact, if they were not speedily remediedit meant the loss of Mr. Slade's fortune, which he had made by alifetime of hard work.
So they were anxious to have the _Comet_ refitted, and start off ontheir trip to a point near New York in order to meet Mr. Jackson. Theyhad learned by telegraph that the eccentric promoter and millionairewas expected to arrive any day, and would take part in the meet.Efforts to intercept him en route, and get in communication with him,had been futile, and they were forced to wait. Mr. Slade grew moreand more anxious as the days passed, but he could only fight off hisbusiness and financial enemies as best he might.
They were busy days for the motor boys. Early and late they worked onthe _Comet_. The main cabin was enlarged and improved. The engine andmachinery was overhauled, and made more powerful. The gas-generatingmachine, which supplied the lifting vapor, that was used when it wasnot desired to operate the _Comet_ as an aeroplane, was changed toallow a more powerful gas to be used.
Additional room for carrying provisions and stores was provided, and anumber of comforts were added to the motor-ship's equipment.
But the hydroplane attachments were the most radical. As has beenexplained they enabled the airship to alight on water and float there,and Jerry even added an auxiliary propeller so that the motor-shipcould travel in the water for a short distance.
So that, in reality, the _Comet_ would soon be a craft that could rollalong the ground, on the bicycle or starting wheels; it could sailthrough the air, or skim on the surface of the water.
"Well, fellows," remarked Jerry one afternoon, when all, including Mr.Glassford and his helpers, had put in a hard day's work on the craft,"I think we'll have her in shape in another day. Then we can give her atry-out."
"Where?" asked Mr. Glassford. "You ought to test her on some water,for you are sure enough that the air features are all right. It's thehydroplanes that need testing."
"That's true," admitted Jerry, "and I thought of making a trip throughthe air to Lake Hammond, and dropping down on the surface there."
"Good idea," agreed Ned.
They were about to stop, assuring themselves by an inspection of thecraft that at least one day more would put her in shape for a trial inthe air and on water, when into the barn, that was used as a work-shop,there burst a small chap, with every appearance of great excitementoozing out from almost every pore in his body.
"Jerry! Ned! Bob!" he gasped. "Come quick--he's out there--stuckfast--can't get loose--squirming around--down in a hole--sea-serpent Iguess--almost dead--Oh, it's awful--poor man--get a doctor--send foran ambulance--have a trained nurse--come on, everybody! Don't wait aminute! He'll disappear under ground! Come quick! Hurry! Run! Run! Comeon!"
"Well, for the love of cats, Andy Rush, what in the name of the sacredcow is the matter now?" cried Jerry, as he surveyed the excitable ladwho had burst in on them.
"Come on! Come on, quick!" was all the reply Andy made and he turnedand hastened from the barn, followed by Ned, Bob and the others.