Part 8 (1/2)
”Not specially,” Mr. Henderson replied. ”But we must find a means of lowering ourselves gradually.”
”Then it will be too late to save any of those on the s.h.i.+p,” observed Mark.
”I'm afraid so,” the scientist made reply.
The Mermaid rested some distance above the surface of the waters. She moved slightly to and fro with the wind, and rocked gently. The professor was examining the broken machinery.
”I have a plan!” suddenly cried Mark.
”What is it?” asked Mr. Henderson.
”Can't we bore a hole in the tank, insert a small faucet or tap, and let the gas out that way gradually?” asked the boy. ”When we get down we can rescue those in danger of fire, and, later, can repair the break.”
”The very thing!” exclaimed Mr. Henderson. ”I never thought of that!
Here, Was.h.i.+ngton! Bring me a drill, and a small stop-c.o.c.k!”
The drill was obtained from the engine room. Working rapidly Mr.
Henderson bored a hole in the lower part of the holder. As soon as the metal was penetrated the gas, which was under considerable pressure, rushed from the tank with a hissing sound. At once the Mermaid began to settle rapidly.
But the professor was prepared for this. He thrust the end of the stop-c.o.c.k into the hole. It was screwed fast and the valve turned.
This stopped the flow of gas and checked the descent of the s.h.i.+p.
Then, by opening the tap the vapor was allowed to escape gradually, bringing the Flying Mermaid gently to the water.
As the adventurers approached they could see that the vessel was now a ma.s.s of flames. The wind was driving the fire toward the forecastle, and the crew had sought refuge aft. But this expedient could not last long, for, already the tongues of fire were licking the sides of the craft and coming nearer and nearer the seemingly doomed men. The vessel was a large one, and heavily laden.
As those in peril caught sight of the Mermaid settling down into the water, apparently from the clouds, their fears gave place to astonishment. So great was this that they ceased their cries of terror. Then, as they saw that the strange craft navigated the ocean, for the engines were started aboard the Mermaid, they began to call for help.
CHAPTER VIII
THE FLYING MERMAID DISABLED
”WE'LL save you!” shouted Mr. Henderson, who was on the deck, while Mark was steering the craft. ”Hold on a few minutes longer and we'll be alongside!”
”They're real! They're real!” some of those aboard the burning s.h.i.+p could be heard to shout. Evidently more than one of them had taken the Mermaid for a delusion of their fear-crazed brain.
”They are real persons!” they called again and again. ”They are coming to save us!”
Mr. Henderson ran his s.h.i.+p as near the burning craft as he dared. Then he called to the crew to leap into the water and swim to him. He, with Was.h.i.+ngton, Jack, Bill and Tom, stood ready to haul aboard any who were too weak to help themselves.
In a few minutes all of those left alive on the sailing vessel--fourteen in all--had come safely aboard the Mermaid. The s.h.i.+p was now completely enveloped in flames.
”Are there any more left on her?” asked Mr. Henderson of one who appeared to be a mate of the burning craft.
”Not a soul!” was the answer. ”The captain and ten men perished in the flames. The fire broke out a week ago in the lower hold. We fought it as well as we could but it got the best of us. Then it suddenly broke through the decks, almost like an explosion, a little while ago, and the captain and others were lost, and so were our small boats. We managed to get aft but were about to give up when you appeared.”
”What s.h.i.+p is it and where are you from?”
”The Good Hope, laden with logwood, hides, jute and other materials from South America,” the mate answered. ”We were bound for New York.”