Part 30 (1/2)

”Ah, boys, getting warmed through?” asked a voice, and Captain Needham appeared a little later. ”Well, you look pretty comfortable. Guess you're ready for supper.”

”You're a good guesser, sir,” said Fenn with a laugh.

”Right this way then,” the captain went on quickly, opening a small door which led from the engine room. ”I'll have something sent in here.

There's a table and some chairs. It's warm and you can dress in there when your clothes are dry.”

The boys went into the apartment he indicated. It was lighted by a small hanging lamp. They sat down to the table, presenting a queer sight in the overalls and jumpers several sizes too large for them. In a little while a man came in with a big tray on which were plates of beef-stew, cups of coffee and plenty of bread and b.u.t.ter.

”Sort of a pick-up meal,” Captain Needham said, as he looked in on them a little later, when they were in the midst of it. ”Best we could do in a hurry. We don't often have people drop in on us out of a balloon for supper,” and he laughed.

”Say, captain,” began Ned. ”Is that boy--”

”I'll be back in a little while,” called the captain, as he closed the door, leaving the chums alone.

”I was going to ask him about Sandy,” added Ned.

”It'll keep,” remarked Bart.

The boys finished their meal and felt better.

”I'd like to get into my clothes,” remarked Fenn. ”I want to see about sending a message home. We must be out of the dangerous part of the river now.”

”Open the door and we'll go back to the engine room and see if they aren't dry,” suggested Frank.

Bart, who was nearest, turned the k.n.o.b. The door did not open.

”Stuck, I guess,” he said, and gave it a yank. It moved a bit, but only enough to show that it was fastened in some way.

”Locked!” exclaimed Ned. ”They've locked us in!”

CHAPTER XXVI

PLANNING TO ESCAPE

”Can't be!” came from Bart. ”What in the world would they do that for?”

”Don't know,” admitted Ned. ”But you can see for yourself. The door's locked.”

”Maybe the catch slipped by mistake when the captain went out,”

suggested Frank. ”Give him a call, or pound on the wall to attract attention.”

”Let me give the door another try,” Bart said. ”No use making a false alarm. Maybe it's only stuck.”

But it was too evident that the portal was locked. The k.n.o.b turned freely, but the bolt was shot and effectually made the boys prisoners.

”Shall I pound on the door?” asked Bart.

”Let's see if there isn't another way out,” suggested Ned.