Part 29 (1/2)

He dived over the side of the basket. His companions followed him. There was a sickening smell of gas in the air.

CHAPTER XXV

CAPTURED

Hampered by their shoes and clothing the boys could not make much headway in the water. Fenn, who was not a very good swimmer, was the last to strike out. Bart caught a glimpse of him, and saw the bag settling down over his chum.

He turned and grabbed Fenn by the shoulder, pulling him out of the way just as the silken folds settled down on top of the water.

”What's the matter? What has happened?” cried a voice through the darkness, and the boys saw lights from a boat flas.h.i.+ng in their faces.

Then they noticed a big barge looming up, and struck out for it.

”Throw us a line!” called Bart.

Aboard the boat men were running to and fro and calling to one another.

More lights flashed out and several figures appeared at the sides. Then ropes splashed into the water.

Bart and Fenn each grabbed one and began to pull themselves aboard. Ned and Frank were on the other side of the barge. There also, men had cast cables into the river and their splash told the swimming boys there was help at hand. They grabbed the lines, and soon all four were standing on the deck of the craft.

”Well, where did you all come from?” asked a hearty voice and a big man, his face almost concealed by a beard, that covered everything except his eyes, strode forward.

”From the balloon,” replied Ned.

”So that's what that big thing was that flopped down here, eh?” asked the man. ”Well, you had quite a time of it. Who are you, anyhow, airs.h.i.+p men?”

Ned told their names, and related how the balloon had broken away, taking them with it.

”I guess it's valuable,” he added. ”Maybe if you took it aboard you could get a reward.”

”We've got something else to do besides saving balloons,” the bearded man replied. ”Delayed our trip as it was, pulling you chaps from the water, but I don't mind that. Let 'em send for their old gas bag if they want it. Guess it won't run away.”

”Are you the captain of this boat?” asked Bart, taking off his coat and wringing some of the water out of it.

”That's what I am, Captain Needham, of the steam barge _Comet_. At present under sealed orders,” and he laughed.

”Where are we?” asked Frank.

”On the Still river, just above Dunkirk,” replied the captain.

”How far is that from Darewell?” inquired Bart.

”Are you from Darewell?” asked Captain Needham quickly, and he looked sharply at the boys who stood in a circle of light cast by several lanterns.

”Yes. That's where we live,” replied Bart.

”Well, you're about fifty miles from home.”

”Which way are you going?” asked Frank, as the barge was anch.o.r.ed then, and the boys had not had time to notice in which direction she was headed.