Part 27 (2/2)

”If there was a barn handy we might use that,” said Sam.

They looked around, but the only building nearby was a small cottage, evidently one used by a farmer's hired hands.

”Run her around between the bushes,” directed d.i.c.k. ”They will protect her a little, for the bushes are quite high.”

They found a spot between the undergrowth and into it forced the biplane, until the air craft was completely surrounded. The bushes broke the force of the wind and the lads had little difficulty in tying the machine fast with the ropes they always carried. It was hailing again, although not so heavily as before. The wind was gradually going down, but the sky was as dark and threatening as ever.

”I think it will turn into rain before very long,” said d.i.c.k, after a look around. ”Too bad it couldn't have held off half an hour longer.

Then we'd have been safe at Brill.”

”I'm thankful we got down safely, d.i.c.k,” said Sam.

”Oh, so am I!”

”It was a narrow escape,” was Tom's comment. ”Great hambones! Who would have thought we'd run into such weather as this!”

”Oh, hailstorms like this are not uncommon, even in midsummer,” answered d.i.c.k. ”Don't you remember the one that came and cut down our corn some years ago?”

”Yes, and broke all the gla.s.s in the hothouse,” added Sam. ”Say, is the machine hurt much?” he went on.

”We'll have to make an examination.”

They looked the biplane over as best they could in the semi-darkness.

One of the bamboo poles had been split and two of the canvas stretches were slit from end to end.

”Not as bad as it might be,” said d.i.c.k. ”We can easily mend the canvas.

But I guess we had better get a new pole in place of that one. I'd not care to trust it, even if it were wired.”

”Perhaps we can wire it good enough to get back to Brill with,” returned Tom. ”We can't stay here.”

”I've had enough sailing for to-day!” cried Sam. ”Let us walk back, or get a carriage, and leave the biplane here until some fine day when there is no wind.”

”Yes, we can't use her any more to-day,” said d.i.c.k. ”Let us cover the engine and walk to that cottage and find out just where we are, and how we can get to Brill.”

Having arranged everything as well as the means at hand permitted, the three Rover boys left the vicinity of the brushwood and walked over to where the small cottage was located. The ground was covered with hailstones and Tom could not resist the temptation to gather up a handful and pelt his brothers.

”Stop it!” cried Sam, and then, as Tom would not stop, he rushed in with some of the hailstones in his hand and allowed them to slide down inside of Tom's collar.

”Wow!” roared the fun-loving Rover. ”Let up, Sam! That feels as if I'd hit the North Pole!”

”Then you let up,” answered Sam, firmly; and after that Tom let the hailstones alone.

As they neared the cottage they saw that a lantern was lit and set on a table in the centre of the living room. Around the table sat three persons, two young fellows and an older man, evidently a farmer. The three were smoking and playing cards, and on the table lay some bank-bills.

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