CHAPTER XXI--A FRIEND IN NEED
The voices that Andy heard died away in the distance. In about tenminutes, however, they came back again within his range of hearing. Theman he believed to be Tyrrell, who in some way had induced Mr. Parks toaccept him as a substitute for himself in the aviation race, wasspeaking to his companion, who was Duske.
"That's the programme, is it?" he was asking.
"To a T."
"You will look out for the Nelson boy."
"Don't fret on that score. We'll cage him safe and sound until the raceis over."
"You think I had better use the bottle?"
"Yes, here it is. Stow it anywhere in your clothes."
"Isn't there some easier way? What's the use of fire? It may strikeinvestigators as suspicious."
"Not at all. They tanked you too full, a spark did the mischief, see?You know enough to descend in among some trees?"
"Of course."
"Let the flame singe your clothing, tell some sensational story of ahairbreadth escape, and you'll be quite a hero."
"You think with the _Racing Star_ out of the way that your machine isbound to win, do you?"
"I know it," affirmed Duske confidently. "Those other aeroplanes aremere botches. They will do as playthings, but as to distance, they'renot in it with the _Moon Bird_."
"All right, I'll follow instructions. Keep that boy safe. I'd better go.It would be all up with our scheme if Parks should suspect I was yourfriend."
Andy fairly writhed where he lay. The plot of the villains was nowperfectly clear to him. The man Tyrrell had wormed himself into theconfidence of Mr. Parks, who little suspected that he was a confederateof Duske. Tyrrell was to make the start with the _Racing Star_, pretendthat an accident had happened, and burn up the airship.
"What shall I do--what can I do?" breathed Andy. "They don't intend tolet me go until after the race is over to-morrow."
In about an hour Duske and an old man who seemed to be the cook of thecamp came to where Andy lay. Duske released one hand of the captive. Theanxious prisoner did not feel much like eating, but he realized that hemust keep up his strength. He ate some bread and meat which the cookbrought, and drank some water.
Duske tied him up again, tighter than ever. Then he spoke to the cook:
"You get your armchair right outside the canvas flap here, Dobbins."
"All right, Mr. Duske," replied the man.
"Every fifteen minutes, right through till morning, you are to look inon that boy. See that he is comfortable, but particularly that he issafe."
"I'll attend to it."
"If you let him get away, you're out of a job, remember."
The cook followed out the programme directed by Duske to the minutestdetail. Andy had no opportunity to free himself--he was watched soclosely. He decided that the effort would be futile. Until midnight helay wide awake, nervous and worried. Then he made up his mind that itdid no good to fret, and got some sleep.
He was given his breakfast about six o'clock in the morning. Then he wastied up again and left to himself. He lay on the mattress so that whenthe wind blew the canvas lifted and he could look out. He was faced awayfrom the direction of the aviation field, however, and twenty feet awaythe fence stared him blankly in the face.
From sounds near by and in the distance during the next two hours, Andycould figure out just what was going on about him. The _Moon Bird_ wascarried from its aerodrome and taken to the aviation field. The old cookseemed to be left in possession of the camp. He looked in on Andy everyso often. The rest of the time he was busy in the larger tent or outsideof it with his cooking utensils.
Poor Andy was in sore straits of despair. He had a vivid imagination,and could fancy all that was shut out from his view by captivity. Heheard a distant town bell strike nine o'clock.
"In an hour the airships will be off," soliloquized the captivemournfully, "and I won't be there."
Andy pictured in his mind all that was going on at the aviation field.He could fancy the airships ranging in place for the start. He couldimagine the animation and excitement permeating the groups ofspectators. He shut his eyes and tried to forget it all, so keen was hisdisappointment.
He heard the band strike up a gay tune. Then a gun was fired. Andyalmost shed tears. In twenty minutes the starting signal was due.
"They'll have a head wind," he ruminated, as the breeze lifted thecanvas at the side of the mattress upon which he lay. "It will be light,though, and won't hinder much;" and then he thrilled, as he fanciedhimself seated in the operator's stand of the splendid _Racing Star_,awaiting the final word, "Go!"
Andy stared blankly at the fence of the enclosure of the Duske camp. Asection of it had been broken down, and the gate left open in removingthe airship. Of a sudden he stared eagerly. Some one had come into theenclosure.
The intruder was evidently some casual sight-seer, a boy. His hands werein his pockets, and he strolled about as if curiously inspectingeverything that came under his notice. He cast a careless glance at thetent, and was proceeding on his way towards the main aviation field,when Andy gave a great start.
"Silas--Silas Pierce!" he shouted, ignoring discovery by the cook.
Andy's heart was thumping like a trip-hammer. It seemed as if on theverge of the blackest despair a bright star of hope had risen on thehorizon. He had recognized the intruder with surprise, but with gladnessas well.
It was his companion of the goose trip, the son of Mr. Pierce--the farmerSilas--whom Andy had last seen at the Collins place, the farm he hadvisited the day previous. Silas wore a brand-new suit of clothes. Hesuggested the typical country boy, with some loose cash in his pocket,enjoying a brief holiday to the utmost.
"Hey!" exclaimed Silas, with a startled jump, his eyes goggling allabout, and unable to trace the source of the challenge.
Andy uttered a groan. At the moment the breeze let down, and the canvasdropped, shutting him in and Silas out. Then a puff of wind came andlifted the flap again.
"Here, here, Silas!" called out Andy in tones of strained suspense."Quick--help!"
"I vum!" gasped the farmer boy, staring blankly at what he saw of Andy."Who is it? And--I say, you're dad's great friend, the Nelson boy!"
Silas had advanced, and took in the situation, and recognized Andyslowly.
"Lift up the canvas; come in here," directed Andy in a more cautioustone of voice. "You remember me, don't you?"
"Guess I do; but what in the world of wonder is the matter with you?"
"Don't talk so loud," pleaded Andy anxiously, fearing the arrival of thecook at any moment. "Some bad men have tied me up. Have you got aknife?"
"Yes; and a brand-new one. Won it in a funny game where you throw rings.See there," and with great pride Silas produced and opened agaudily-handled jack-knife.
"Oh, thank you, Silas; I'll never forget this."
"Hold on! Say! Thunder! Is he crazy? Stop! Stop!"
In profound excitement, Silas Pierce regarded Andy. The minute he hadcut the bonds of the young aviator, Andy had bounded to his feet as ifset on springs. Afar from the aviation field there boomed out thesecond, the get-ready gun.
"Ten minutes!" gasped Andy, on fire with resolve. "I've got to make it."
He swept aside the canvas, headed in the direction of the main camp. Hoton his heels came his amazed rescuer, now a wondering pursuer. Andy ranat the fence, gave a spring, and cleared its top in a graceful leap.Silas, more clumsy, ran at two loose boards, and by sheer force of hismight and strength, sent them out of place and put after Andy.
"Nelson!" he bawled. "What's the matter? Nobody's following you.Crickey, but you're a sprinter!"
"I'll see you later--Parks' camp--in a hurry."
In a hurry, indeed, was Andy. He was running against time. As a turnpast some tents brought him in full sight of the open field, he was alone heroic figure--heart, brain and body strained to reach the dainty,natty _Racing Star_, just being wheeled in place for flight.
There were seven ai
rships entered for the race. These were now stationeda distance of several hundred yards apart, ready to start. Thespectators were held back from the dead line by ropes stretched frompost to post, but Andy was coming across the field from its inside edge.Silas Pierce was putting after him, puzzled and excited, breathless, andfar to the rear. Their unconventional arrival attracted no attention,for those in charge of the airships were engrossed in seeing thateverything was right for the start.
The _Racing Star_ was being pushed forward to its starting position. Allthe others were in place. In a swift glance, Andy made out the _MoonBird_, and recognized Duske seated amidships.
Near the _Racing Star_ was Mr. Parks, directing affairs, and Scipio wasstanding near by. At one side were Mr. Morse and Tsilsuma, deeplyinterested in the manoeuvres going on.
"It's Tyrrell!" panted Andy, and he redoubled his speed as he made outthe treacherous ally of Duske. Tyrrell was arrayed in leather jacket andgloves, keeping pace with the _Racing Star_ as it moved along. As theairship came to a halt on the starting line, Andy saw him move forwardto take his seat amidships.
It was then that Andy massed all his strength of being, accompanied byanimated gesticulations, as he shouted out:
"Stop that man!"