CHAPTER XI.--"GOOD LUCK!"
The silence in the hut was absolute as Frank bent low over hisinstruments. Even Pudge was subdued for once. There is somethingthrillingly dramatic to the most phlegmatic of temperaments in the ideaof a wireless call for aid. Across unknown miles the message comeswinging through the air--an appeal out of space.
Of course, the others could not catch what was coming, for the whisperof the wireless waves sounds faint and shadowy even to one with the"phones" clasped to his ears. But Frank's manner showed plainly enoughthat, whatever was winging its way to his organs of hearing, wasexciting to the last degree.
Suddenly the boy switched to his transmitting apparatus. With his helixhe began attuning the length of his sparks, while the snake-like blueflame hissed and crackled across the "high-efficiency" spark gap. Itlooked like a living thing of lambent fire, as it writhed and screamedin response to the pressure on the key.
"What's wanted? Where are you?"
This was the message that went speeding out on the air waves from theaerials above the hut.
"This is the yacht _Wanderer_, from New York to Rocktown. We have strucka derelict and are leaking badly. Who are you?"
"A station on Brig Island, about four miles at sea from Motthaven. Whereare you?"
The latter question was unanswered for the time being. Instead cameanother query:
"Have you any means by which you can get to our assistance? We are indire peril."
"We will try to aid you. But what is your position?"
"Wait. I'll look at the chart."
There came a pause, during which Frank rapidly detailed what he hadheard to the eager group of listeners. But in the midst of it theunknown sender broke in once more.
"We are about twenty miles to the southeast of you, on an almoststraight course. Can keep afloat only a few hours longer. Can you gettug from the mainland?"
"Impossible," flashed back Frank, "but will do what we can. Are you atanchor?"
"No, but the drift is very little. We are off soundings. Can you come toour aid?"
Frank's fingers pressed down on the key firmly. Rapidly he sent thismessage pulsating:
"How many on board?"
"Three. Owner, a friend and a hand."
"All right. Standby!"
"Good-by, and hurry," came out of the night, and then--silence.
Frank disconnected his instruments and turned to the others. Rapidly hedetailed the impending tragedy out there in the darkness.
"Can't we get to them in the motor boat?" demanded Harry breathlessly.
Frank shook his head.
"Not in the time we have. They can't keep afloat much longer, recollect.What can be done? Is there no way we can help them?"
"Yes, there is."
The words came quietly but in a decided tone from Dr. Perkins. Frank wasthe first to guess the import of the speech.
"The _Sea Eagle_!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Dr. Perkins nodded.
"Yes. Here is our chance to test her in the service of humanity. She isready for flight this instant."
"But in the darkness? How can we pick up this yacht?"
"By the searchlight. Most likely the yacht has rockets. When she seesour searchlight she will send some up. That will give us her bearings.The general location of the craft we know."
"Are we all to go?" demanded Pudge.
"Hardly," rejoined his father, slipping into an overcoat, for the nightwas somewhat chilly, though the air was calm. "Frank and Harry, I needyou two. You others await our return. Have hot coffee and food ready, asthe survivors may be in need of nourishment."
"Aye, aye, sir," responded Ben; "and now, sir, if I may give a bit ofadvice, lose no time in getting away. I've been in some sea disastersmyself, and sometimes every second counts."
"You're right, Stubbs," ejaculated Dr. Perkins. "Boys, get the _SeaEagle_ ready. I'll bring along the searchlight."
While Frank and Harry hastened on their errand, Dr. Perkins got thesearchlight out of its locker. It was a small but powerful one,constructed so as to fit into a socket on the _Sea Eagle's_ "bow." Itslight was supplied from a small dynamo connected with the engine of thesea-and-air craft. By the time the doctor was ready the _Sea Eagle_ hadbeen wheeled out of her shed, and Frank gave a sharp hail.
"All ready, doctor!"
"With you in a moment, my boy," was the response, as the inventorhastened out into the darkness.
The outlines of the _Sea Eagle_ loomed up gray and ghostly in the gloom.Only a tiny speck of light showed in her bow by the steering wheel,where a minute electric bulb shed light on the compass. This light wasobtained from a storage battery of peculiarly light construction,connected with the dynamo before mentioned.
The boys had clambered on board as soon as the airship had been wheeledout of its shed. They extended their hands to Dr. Perkins and helped himon board. The searchlight was put in place and its wires connected tothe storage battery. A snap of a switch and a sharp pencil of light cutthe night. The appliance worked to perfection.
"Now, then," said the doctor, as he took the wheel, "the less time welose, the better. Frank, you had better apply the buoyancy apparatus, aswe must make an abrupt rise to clear the trees."
"Why not launch from the runway?" inquired Frank; "wouldn't that bequicker?"
"That's right. I think it would. Head the prow round for the rails."
Willing hands pushed the _Sea Eagle_ around, for on her ball-bearingsupporting wheels she handled very easily, despite her great weight.
Presently the craft was poised at the summit of the incline, ready forher rush downward.
"Give her power!" cried the doctor.
Frank seized the self-starting lever, and gave it a twirl. A pressure ofhis forefinger on the button followed, and almost simultaneously themotor began to thunder and roar.
"Right here!" cried Frank.
"All right. Hold tight. I'm going to apply full power."
Dr. Perkins jerked back the clutch lever as he spoke. There was ajarring shock, and then a downward rush through the night, thesearchlight cutting a blazing white path through the blackness. Down,down they raced at terrific speed. Suddenly the jarring movement ceased.The _Sea Eagle_ appeared to glide upward as if drawn skyward byinvisible ropes. As the craft left the rails, and began soaring to thestars that looked quietly down on the exciting scene, a sound was borneupward to the aerial voyagers.
"Good-by."
And then an instant later in Ben's stentorian tones:
"So long, mates! Go-o-o-d luck!"