Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/174

This page has been validated.
172
The Boy Scouts of the Air

There was no time for further speculation. The two made their way along the foot bridge, moving with great caution to keep from being swept over. The hydro shed seemed intact, and within, the pilot, examining every section of his machine, found she had ridden the swelling waters without damage. In a few minutes, he had her ready for action.

Once Jimmy had interrupted the work by declaring he had heard a sound of oars in the distance. Turner, pricking up his ears, noticed nothing but wind and splashing water.

"Wind, my boy, can make you think you hear almost anything on a dark night. Get in here and forget your nerves," was all the satisfaction he gave the detective.

Silently, Jimmy climbed aboard.

The lad in place, the pilot started his motor. Swiftly the boat glided out into the night. Guided partly by his instruments and partly by instinct acquired by long experience, Turner headed her boldly due south, let her skim the waters for a space, then took a flying leap of something over half a mile, and before Jimmy had time to take full stock of the flying sensa-