CHAPTER XII.
“GOOD WORK, MANUELLO!”
“Any sign of land yet, Nat?”
The professor put the question, as he stood beside the young leader ofthe Motor Rangers on the bridge of the _Nomad_.
“I’ve noticed a sort of purplish mass, like a low-lying reach ofclouds, in the distance for some time,” was the rejoinder. “Do youthink that it can be the coast of Chile?”
“I think it is highly probable; we should be picking up the land bythis time. I think—heaven bless us!”
The professor clutched wildly at his head. But he was too late. Hislatest “top-piece,” a cap that had belonged to Ding-dong Bell, waswhirled from his head into the sea.
“It’s an extraordinary thing,” he said with a kind of patientresignation. “But I don’t seem able to keep a hat on my head at all.”
“So I’ve noticed,” rejoined Nat, with a sort of dry humor, “and that’sthe last spare one on board. You’ve had six since we left the volcanicislands, and there are no others left.”
“Well, I suppose I must go bareheaded, then, till we reach land. It ismost annoying, though, really. I cannot account for it.”
Nat had a hard task to keep from laughing, but he managed to maintain astraight face by dint of heroic resolution. Moreover, as the bridge wasprotected by awnings of red and white striped material, he did not fearthat the man of science would suffer greatly from the sun.
It speedily became evident that what Nat had seen was indeed the coastof Chile. By late afternoon they could make out the great mountainmasses which hang above the rather low lying coast.
“Gives one a kind of a thrill to think that if all goes well we’ll beflying over those before long,” remarked Joe Hartley, as they all stoodgrouped on the bridge, watching the distant land with interest.
“It certainly does,” agreed Nat.
It was three weeks since they had parted company with the schooner, andthe _Nomad_ had been somewhat delayed by bad weather. But, all thingsconsidered, she had made a good run and all on board were in high goodhumor as they foresaw the end of the voyage.
By nightfall they were entering a landlocked bay that forms the harborof Santa Rosa. It seemed to be a tiny place, as well as they couldjudge. Above the huddle of houses there rose the inevitable twin towersof the cathedral, however, and through the glasses they could make out,with a thrill, that Old Glory was flying over one of the buildings, nodoubt the American consulate.
“I tell you, that old flag never looks so good as when you see itflying in a foreign port,” observed Mr. Tubbs, a sentiment which theyall echoed.
As soon as they had anchored, their craft was surrounded by a fleet ofboats from the shore. It was dark, and in the blackness the tiny lightscarried by the swarming craft made them resemble a fleet of fire-flies,as Nat poetically remarked.
“I am going to take a boat ashore,” said Professor Grigg, as soon aseverything had been made snug. “As we wish to start on the expeditionas soon as possible it is important that I should see Mr. Stowe, theAmerican consular agent, without delay. I am anxious, too, to know ifthe sections of the dirigible arrived in good shape.”
“By the way, professor,” asked Nat, “what is the airship’s name?”
“Why, bless my soul, I hadn’t thought of that,” remarked the man ofscience, “she ought to have one, too. What would you suggest?”
“I think _Discoverer_ would be a good name,” said Joe.
“Dd-d-d-dish coverer?” inquired Ding-dong mildly.
In the scuffle that ensued, the lively young engineer of the _Nomad_was almost toppled overboard.
When quiet was restored, the professor said that he thought that_Discoverer_ was a very good name. And so it was decided upon.
“You may come ashore with me, if you like,” said the professor to Nat.
“If I like,” echoed that lad; “of course I’d be delighted to,” he added.
Accordingly, a few minutes later they set out in one of the shore boatsfor the city, leaving behind them two youths with rather long faces.Ding-dong and Joe would have dearly loved to share in the expedition,but their presence on board was necessary, as the _Nomad_, after herlong, rough cruise, was badly in need of a “general housecleaning.”
“I guess the consul will be astonished when he learns of the manner inwhich I have traveled here,” remarked the professor; “naturally he wasexpecting me on the schooner.”
“Speaking of the schooner,” said Nat as the native rowers propelled thelong, narrow boat swiftly through the water, “you don’t anticipate anytrouble from Lawless or Durkee?”
“No, I do not,” was the rejoinder; “in the first place, the schoonercould not arrive here for many days, even if they had made up theirminds to follow us. By that time we shall be, I hope, far advanced intothe upper regions of Chile.”
As the professor spoke one of the boatmen gave a shout. Nat looked upand saw that a sailboat was bearing right down on them at tremendousspeed. The outlines of two men could be seen, but it was too dark todistinguish their features.
“Good gracious, if that man doesn’t tack he’ll run us down!” cried theprofessor.
“He will indeed,” exclaimed Nat. “Hi there! Look out where you’recoming!” he yelled, adding his voice to the outcries of the boatmen.
But the occupants of the sailing craft paid no attention. At a terrificspeed the larger craft bore straight down on the little boat.
The boatmen stood paralyzed with fear. They did nothing. Suddenly oneof them dropped on his knees, and began imploring the protection of thesaints.
Nat sprang toward him, almost upsetting the frail boat as he did so.With a quick movement he seized one of the paddle-like oars, and byexerting all his strength as he thrust it into the water, he managed tosend the boat spinning out of harm’s way.
The next instant the sailing craft flashed by, almost grazing the bowof the small craft.
“You’re a nice pair of irresponsible idiots,” yelled the indignant Nat.“Do you know you almost ran us down?”
A yell of derision came from the other boat, and at the same instantsomething heavy whizzed past Nat’s head, almost striking him. It fellin to the water with a splash.
“They threw something at me, an iron weight, or a rock, or something,”exclaimed Nat as the sailboat, still going at the same rapid rate,vanished in the darkness. “What do you make of such conduct?”
“I don’t know what to think,” rejoined the professor. “I was inclinedto believe at first that the sailors of that craft were merelycareless. But the throwing of that weight puts a different complexionon the matter. It looks as if they deliberately tried to wreck us.”
“It does,” agreed Nat; “the whole thing is very mysterious. I’m sure Idon’t know why any inhabitant of Santa Rosa should wish us harm.”
But further discussion of the matter was cut short by the necessity ofarousing the boatmen, who were still stupid from fright. This wasaccomplished at last, and the boat was sent whizzing through the wateragain.
They were landed at a tumble-down wharf, and as the tide was out theygot the full benefit of the odors inseparable from a South Americantown. Both, however, were too intent on the work in hand to waste muchthought on this.
The professor, who spoke Spanish, as did Nat after a fashion, inquiredthe way to the consulate, and a ragged mestizo volunteered to escorthim thither. But to their disappointment, when they reached thebuilding, which served both as a dwelling and an office, the consul’sassistant informed them that he was not expected for an hour or more.They were invited to wait, however.
Professor Grigg, who was tired, gladly accepted the invitation, andsank into a comfortable chair. But sitting still didn’t much appeal toNat.
“I guess I’ll stroll about the town a little and meet you here later,”he said to the professor after a few moments.
“Very well, my lad. But be careful,” was the reply.
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p; “Oh, I’ll be very cautious,” laughed Nat; “at any rate, I can’t get rundown by a boat ashore here.”
“But there may be dangers, nevertheless,” counseled the professor.
Nat again promised to be careful and hurried out. He wished to mailsome letters home, as well as do a bit of sight seeing. He found thepost office without difficulty and, having mailed his missives, wasleaving it, when a native, in a long serape, or cloak, glided up to him.
“The señor is from the boat which anchored this evening?” he asked.
“Yes,” rejoined Nat. “Why?”
“Because if the señor wishes to see the town I am very good guide. Ican show him where they sell veree fine ’Merican ice cream soda.”
“By ginger! You’re on,” cried Nat, who had a weakness for ice creamsodas; “lead on, Macduff. You don’t look very presentable, but I guessthat isn’t your fault.”
“Thees way, señor,” said the man, and he walked off slightly in advanceof Nat.
Suddenly he turned into a dark alley. Now, although Nat had nothing todread, yet he began to be fearful that the fellow might mean to robhim. So he stopped short for an instant. But the next moment hissuspicions were disarmed by a look at the ragged, pitiable fellow. Natwould have been a match for six of him.
“Where are you going?” he demanded, however, as they plunged into thenarrow thoroughfare, which was ill-paved and black as a tunnel.
“A short cut, señor. A short cut to the Gran’ Plaza. We be there soonnow.”
“Well, let’s hurry up and get out of this, quick,” said Nat; “I don’tmuch like——”
Smash!
Something struck the young Motor Ranger on the back of the head. Heextended his arms helplessly, and plunged dizzily forward, collapsingin a heap on the pavement.
At the same instant two figures glided from a doorway and joined athird, the one who had struck Nat the blow that felled him.
“Good work, Manuello,” said the voice of Captain Lawless. “Pick him upand help us carry him in.”