CHAPTER VII
A RESCUE IN THE FOG
"What do your suppose that was?" inquired Hiram excitedly.
"It was kind of startling," said Dave.
"Listen."
With the power shut off, the hydroplane drifted, Dave checking itsslack running. They were now in a dense fog; with night fast comingon. For the moment everything was still. Then there rang throughthe misty space one word:
"Help!"
"It was in that direction," said Hiram quickly, pointing.
"I think so, too," nodded Dave, "and not far away."
"What could have happened? Those shots?"
"Probably fired to call assistance."
"If you could speed up the hydroplane a little--"
"I would have to get the starter in use, and we might run intosomething. Hello! Hello! Hello!" Dave shouted loudly. There wasa speedy reply.
"Here! Hello! this wa-aa-ay!"
"That's a man's voice, and he's right near to us," declared Hiram,leaning forward and peering through the mist. "Hey, there!"
"I see you. Good!"
There was a tilt of the machine. The person in the water had seizedone of the wing stays.
"Careful, there," ordered Dave. "Don't cling to that wing or bearit down."
"I can't hold out."
Dave cautiously edged from his seat towards a form now plainlyvisible. It was that of a man about thirty years of age.
It was no easy task to take the man aboard. One of his hands wasuseless. He seemed in pain and half choked with water he hadswallowed.
Hiram gave up his seat to the rescued man, who sank back as ifovercome with faintness and exhaustion. Hiram himself found aresting place on the platform supporting the two seats.
"Is there anybody else in trouble?" Dave asked of their passenger.
"No, no," replied the man. "The launch is gone up. Get me to landquick as you can. I'm afraid my arm is broken. It pains meterribly. I must get to a surgeon soon as possible."
Dave got the hydroplane under way again.
He was fortunate in striking a course that brought them back to theboat house in about an hour's time.
The rescued man was somewhat revived by this time, and when thehydroplane was safely housed, Dave took his arm and piloted the wayfrom the beach.
"It is less than half a mile to the hangars," the young aviatorexplained. "When we get there we can find an automobile to take youinto town."
"It was when my launch struck a rock that I hurt my arm," the manexplained.
"Were you on board alone?" asked the curious Hiram.
"Yes. I was driving ahead full speed, to get ashore out of the fog.I heard your machine, and was afraid I'd get run into. My launchran into a reef with terrific force. I was thrown against itbulkhead, arm sprained or broken, nearly stunned, and then into thewater."
"But the launch, Mister?" questioned the interested Hiram anxiously.
"Smashed. I don't know if I could locate it again in the fog. Icouldn't use my hurt arm, and I fired my revolver, yelled, and gaveup when your machine came along."
"Where did you come from, Mister?" pressed the persistent Hiram.
"Why--well, I came from up north. Own a launch. Had some businessthis way, and got well on my way till the craft struck."
Dave noticed as the man spoke that it was in a hesitating, evasiveway. He seemed anxious to change the conversation, for he said:
"You are taking me to the Columbus aero field?"
"Yes, we belong there," answered Dave.
"Some people there named Dawson?"
"Yes, father and son."
"That's it. Here, now?"
"Oh, yes, they follow the different meets."
"Why, then, say," observed the man, "if you will just get me upagainst them, I shall be pleased. You see, they're friends of mine.They'll take care of me."
Dave gave the man a look. Hiram pulled a face at him behind hisback. That settled it with Hiram. In his mind he was sure thatanybody who knew the Dawsons in a friendly way could not possiblyamount to much.
The man did not mention his name. He seemed to care nothingwhatever for the fate of the launch. He barely thanked Dave, as,reaching the aero grounds, our hero led him near to the headquartersof the man for whom the Dawsons were working.
"You'll find your friends over there," he said.
"All right," nodded the man he had rescued. "Lucky I met you.Thanks."
"Say, Dave Dashaway, now what do you think of that!" burst outHiram, as the man got out of earshot.
"Think of what, Hiram?" inquired the young aviator.
"Friend of the Dawsons!"
"Well, they've got to know somebody, haven't they?"
"That's so, but I don't like the fellow you rescued."
"Why not, Hiram?"
"Did you notice the way he hesitated when we asked him where he hadcome from?"
"Yes."
"And about that launch? He didn't seem to care what had become ofit."
"Maybe it didn't belong to him."
"Well, anyway, hadn't he ought to have some concern about otherfolks' property?"
Dave did not reply. He had his own ideas and opinion of the rescuedman. He was due for a public exhibition of the Reliance the nextday, and dismissed the incident from his mind as he got back to theBaby Racer hangar.
Mr. King was to make a non-stop race also, and there was plenty ofdetail to attend to at the Aegis headquarters as well.
That was a busy, exciting day, the one following. The Aegis and hercompetitors got started by ten o'clock. There was a variedprogramme from eleven to one. At three o'clock Dave made his runwith the hydroplane.
Two other machines engaged in the contest, but not only were they ofinferior make, but their operators were clumsy and not up tostandard.
Dave won considerable praise. The Reliance made a beautiful run,and he felicitated himself that he had got onto the knack of runningit right.
"I don't believe much in hydroplanes," old Grimshaw observed to himas he accompanied Dave back to the aero grounds, "but I believe inyou, and I will say you made a clever showing."
"Wait till the Interstate folks send on their latest improvedaero-hydroplane, Mr. Grimshaw," said Dave. "You'll see some finework then."
"There's your friend, young Dobbs," remarked Grimshaw.
Dave saw Hiram on a run, headed towards them. He came upbreathless.
"Some one at the hangar to see you, Dave," he reported.
"Who is it, Hiram?"
"He says he's a United States revenue officer."
"Hello!" spoke Grimshaw, "I hope your hydroplane hasn't got you intoany trouble running up against the government."
"Oh, I think not," replied Dave with a smile.
"It's a long story and a big story, Dave," replied Hiram. "You knowthe man you rescued he lake yesterday?"
"Yes, Hiram."
"Well, it turns out that he is a notorious smuggler and thegovernment is looking for him."