Part 16 (1/2)

”Hurry up, Ned,” cautioned Jack. ”The little wagon is just about to say 'Goodby'! We'll have to go some to escape the suction!”

”All aboard!” replied Ned, tossing his kit into the boat.

Harry pitched the luggage he was carrying to waiting hands. Both boys then watched for an opportune moment when the small boat swung close to the sinking stern. A quick leap carried them safely aboard.

”Oh, I forgot!” cried Ned. ”I was going to bring the compa.s.s!”

”Never mind the compa.s.s now, Ned!” cried Jimmie, seizing an oar.

”No,” put in Frank, ”we don't know where we are at anyhow, and the compa.s.s wouldn't be of any use to us in such a case as this!”

”Goodby, Lena Garlic!” shouted Jimmie a moment later as he pulled manfully at the oar. ”Goodby and good luck!”

The others turned to see the schooner now with decks awash. A loud detonation marked the blowing off of the hatches by the compressed air in the hold. That incident seemed to mark the pa.s.sage of the vessel.

Gradually settling by the stern the schooner quietly slipped backward, settling deeper and deeper, until a large wave overwhelmed the craft, leaving only the masts projecting above water. In another instant these, too, had disappeared, leaving but a few floating pieces of wreckage to mark the spot where the boys had only a short time before been standing.

”And goodby, Grey Eagle!” almost sobbed Ned. ”No more flying in that little airs.h.i.+p! I wish we could have saved the machine!”

This seemed to be the sentiment of all, but they knew that their st.u.r.dy aeroplane was now gone forever.

”The Germans needn't think we'll ever trouble them again in that airs.h.i.+p!” declared Jimmie. ”We can't be pinched for that!”

For a moment the disappointment of their recent experiences sat heavily on all the lads. At length, however, Ned roused himself and tried to cheer his comrades. He knew that nothing could be gained by bemoaning the fate that had happened to them.

”We can't be far from land,” the lad stated presently. ”Von Kluck and his crew seemed to be heading the same way we are. They evidently knew about where they were and have made for the nearest port.”

”Let's keep right on after them, then,” suggested Frank.

”Second the motion!” panted Jimmie, straining at his oar. ”But this is hot work! Wish I had a drink of water!”

”You'll have to go slow on the water, boys,” cautioned Ned. ”That kettle holds only about three gallons, and we can't drink sea water.”

”Let me take the oar a while, Jimmie,” volunteered Harry. ”I guess you've worked about hard enough, anyway. You rest a bit.”

Cautiously the boys changed places. What with their kits, the bundle of bread and the cheese the little boat was carrying all that could be conveniently stowed. They were glad that no more had remained to accompany them. Soon all had settled themselves quite comfortably.

”Now,” spoke up Jack, presently, ”all we've got to do is to let this wind blow us along. We'll just keep the boat straightened into the seas and take it easy. We can't do a thing to help matters.”

”Right you are, Scout!” agreed Jimmie. ”I think it's getting gray over there,” the lad continued, pointing toward the east. ”Morning will be along shortly and we can see what time it is.”

”Maybe we'll meet some s.h.i.+p that will pick us up,” ventured Harry, hopefully. ”There are plenty of vessels in these parts.”

”I see a smoke astern of us now, I think!” declared Frank. ”It seems to be from a vessel low in the water.”

”Let me take a look,” cried Ned, standing and balancing himself by clinging to Jimmie's shoulder. ”Yes, I can see it, too! It seems to be overhauling us quite rapidly,” he added. ”Maybe they'll help us!”

Ceasing their efforts to propel the boat the boys handled the oars only enough to keep their tiny craft properly riding the seas.