In the first place he had chosen to drop beyond the wreck of Percy's
biplane. This he had purposely done, in the hope that the wind might
drift them down upon the other aircraft.
A minute's observation convinced Frank, however, that if they waited for
this to happen, the frail support which was buoying Casper Blue and his
mate up would have gone under long long before they could get within
touch.
Already the second man was shrieking for them to hurry, because he could
feel himself slowly but surely sinking; and he let them know that he
could not swim a stroke.
Plainly, then, they must do something to quicken things, if they meant
to be of any service to the two rogues, thus brought to a sudden halt
just when escape had seemed most bright.
Frank remembered his engine. But would it work under such strange
conditions as this? He quickly saw that the rear propeller was half
buried in the water; and if it turned at all would have to churn things
just as though they were in truth a queerly fashioned boat, instead of
an airship, intended to mount to lofty heights, and vie with the eagle
in his circling above the clouds.
Quickly, then, he started to make the trial; and Andy, seeing his
movement, comprehended what he must have in mind; for he swung out in
such fashion as to preserve a balance, and thus help things along as far
as lay in his power.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196