CHAPTER XXIII
OVER THE OCEAN
For a few moments after this unexpected announcement neither of themotor boys knew what to say. Nor did Professor Snodgrass seem able toutter anything in keeping with the seriousness of the occasion. As forMr. Durkin, and the officers of the meet, who were anxious for ourheroes to start on the rescue expedition, they gazed blankly at thesheriff's officer, whom they correctly guessed the man to be.
"Do you mean that we can't leave in our own motor-ship?" demandedJerry, stepping out on deck.
"That's exactly what I mean," was the reply. "I'm Deputy SheriffMorton, and I've got an attachment on this airship, or whatever youcall it. I'm in possession now, and I forbid you to leave this placewith the ship," saying which Mr. Morton jumped aboard.
"I guess you fellers will sing a different tune now!" exclaimedanother voice, and pushing through the crowd came Mr. Muggins himself,a grim smile on his wrinkled features. "You thought you'd git ahead ofme, sneakin' off in th' night, but I allowed as how you'd point ferthis balloon fair. So I jest hitched up, went t' th' sheriff an' sworeout an attachment ag'in ye, an' here I be. Ye don't stir till ye pay mythousand dollars."
"But we don't owe you a thousand dollars!" exclaimed Ned, to whom everymoment of delay seemed an hour, so anxious was he to do something tosave his father's business.
"Ye damaged my barn that amount, an' ye've got t' pay it; ain't they,Mr. Morton?"
"That's what th' law says. I'm in possession," and the sheriff'sdeputy coolly took a seat in the cabin of the motor-ship, and lookedthrough the opened windows at the crowd. There had been murmurs ofindignation when Mr. Morton prevented the ship from leaving, but atthis explanation several inquiries were made as to how the affair hadoriginated.
Jerry briefly explained the accident, stating that the barn was onlyslightly damaged, and he told of the shabby treatment accorded him andhis chums by Mr. Muggins.
"But you don't seem to understand the seriousness of this, my dearman," said Mr. Durkin to the farmer. "Are you aware that you may bethe cause of a number of persons losing their lives in the balloon_Manhattan_, unless these lads are allowed to go to the rescue? Do yourealize that?"
"I don't realize nothin', but that I want a thousand dollars," assertedMr. Muggins.
"No, I guess money is all you ever do realize," murmured Bob.
"I appeal to you," pleaded Mr. Durkin, to the sheriff's deputy. "Can'tyou let this airship go? You will be responsible for the deaths ofseveral people if you prevent the rescue."
"No use appealing to me," declared Mr. Morton. "I ain't responsiblefor anything but my duty. I have to do as the law says, and as I'vesworn to do. Pay the thousand dollars, and I'll take off the legalattachment, and the craft can go. But I ain't allowed to do otherwise."
Clearly he was within his rights.
"If Mr. Muggins will release his claim temporarily, I won't say aword," went on Mr. Morton. "It's up to him. I can vacate the attachmentif he says so."
"Well, I don't say so!" cried the disagreeable man. "I know my rightsan' I'm goin' t' have 'em! I want a thousand dollars fer damages t' mybarn!"
There seemed to be no way of getting around it, and it looked as if the_Comet_ would have to stay there, for the boys did not have a thousanddollars, and it would take some time to procure it from home, even ifthey were disposed to allow themselves to be swindled in that fashion.
"Can't we make a sudden dash, and get away?" whispered Ned to Jerry."We could take the sheriff's man with us if we had to."
Jerry shook his head.
"It would be too risky," the tall lad decided. "He might draw a gun,and fire at the gas bag, or something. Besides it would mean an extraperson on board, and if we rescue Mr. Jackson and his friend and crew,we're going to be pretty well crowded as it is. I dare not chance it."
Gloom settled on Ned's face. Bob did not know what to do. Jerry was ata loss. Professor Snodgrass seemingly had put all thoughts of troubleout of his mind, and was poring over his note-books. Suddenly, however,the little scientist looked up, and, addressing Mr. Morton, asked:
"Couldn't we give a bond of indemnity for double the amount of thedamages--say for two thousand dollars? If we did that, guaranteeingthe payment to Mr. Muggins of his claim when it was properly proved,couldn't we be allowed to go?"
"Yes, that might be done," admitted the deputy. "I am authorized toaccept a good bond. But who would give it?"
"I would," said Mr. Snodgrass eagerly. Hope showed on the faces of themotor boys. But the sheriff's man shook his head.
"I don't know you. You're a stranger to me," he declared. "I don't knowwhether you're good for the bond or not."
"But I tell you that I _am_, and these boys know it," said thescientist innocently.
"That won't do," declared the officer.
"How about _my_ bond?" suddenly asked Mr. Durkin. "You know me. I'llsign the bond for two thousand dollars so these boys can go to therescue. Will you take it?"
"Yes, I'll take _your_ bond," agreed the officer.
"Then come over to the office, and I'll sign it!" went on Mr. Durkineagerly. "There's no time to lose. Get started, boys!"
The deputy came slowly down from the airship. Mr. Muggins lookedpuzzled and disappointed. He did not understand the matter of thebond. He wanted the cash.
"Now's your time, Jerry!" exclaimed Ned suddenly, as he saw the officeralight on the ground. "Start her up!"
"Sure! Everything is clear!" added Bob eagerly.
Jerry nodded comprehendingly. With a last look to see that everythingwas in order he yanked the starting lever toward him. The _Comet_ shotforward across the smooth ground on her bicycle wheels, for the boyswere going to send her aloft as an aeroplane, saving their lifting gasfor emergencies. Faster and faster the craft moved, the crowd partingto make way for her. Mr. Muggins saw his prize getting away from him.
"Here!" he cried. "Here! Come back! I want my thousand dollars!"
After the _Comet_ he ran, his coat tails flying in the wind, while,over and over again, he cried:
"Come back! Come back! I want my money! The money for my barn. Hi! Mr.Sheriff, them fellers is escapin'!"
"Faster Jerry!" cried Ned. "He may catch us, and hang on!"
"Not much!" remarked the tall lad grimly. He put on more speed. Then,seeing that they were going fast enough to rise in the air, he pulledthe elevating rudder lever.
Up shot the _Comet_, while the crowd cheered. Up and up she went,leaving a much chagrined farmer running breathlessly and uselesslyafter it, meanwhile shaking his fists at our heroes in the air.
"Off at last!" murmured Ned with a sigh of relief. "Off to the rescue!"
"Yes, and I hope we'll be in time to save them," added Jerry somewhatsolemnly.
"I hope we get the singing fish," spoke the professor. "That is," hewent on quickly, "after we save those poor people in the balloon!"
Higher and higher into the air went the _Comet_. The tents andbuildings in the aviation park looked like tiny structures now. Soonthe grounds had disappeared from sight. The great city of New York andher surrounding boroughs loomed up in the distance.
In a little while they were over the great city, but so high up thatthe boys could not see the wondering crowds which they knew must bewatching their progress.
"Over the Hudson," remarked Bob, as they flew high above that historicriver. Then they proceeded down toward the Battery, out over theNarrows, faster and ever faster, past the forts at the entrance to theharbor, out beyond Coney Island, leaving Atlantic Highlands on theirright, out past Sandy Hook, on and on, the water widening more and moreuntil finally Jerry announced.
"Over the ocean at last! Now, fellows, we've got to keep up our spunkand courage, and depend on ourselves. This is the riskiest trip we'veever undertaken. All hands keep a sharp watch out for the runawayballoon!"
Onward they sped, and they little knew what was before them.