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We may make up our minds not to try it, Frank told him quietly, as though he had some sort of plan in his mind, hatched on the spur of the moment.
Whats the idea, Frank? asked Billy eagerly. No matter how you figure it Im game to stand by you.
Id never question that, Billy, declared the other warmly. Youve proved your grit many a time in the past. But heres the way the case stands. We could make an ascent from the water if we wanted, but on such a pitch-dark night that would mean trouble about coming down again. So whats to hinder our staying here until morning lying on the water like a duck?
If the wind doesnt come up with the change in the tide, we could do it as easy as anything, assented Billy. She rides like a duck, and could stand a lot more rough water than were getting now. Frank, lets call it a go.
We will find it pretty cold, of course, you understand, Billy?
Shucks! havent we got on our leather jackets that are lined with fleece that have given us solid comfort many a time when we were six thousand feet and more up in the cold air? Why, Frank, we can strap ourselves to our seats, you know, and one of us can get a few winks of sleep while the other watches, ready to switch on the searchlight if anything threatens.
Its plain to be seen that youre set on trying a night of it, said Frank, no doubt well pleased to have it so. Im worrying more about Pudge than of myself. Wish we knew he was all right.
The same here, said Billy. Frank, we must keep listening all through the night to catch his signal, if ever he makes it. You know weve got that code for communicating by means of fish horns. If Pudge gets to the hangar and finds that were not around, the first thing hell think will be that the seaplane has been stolen.
Unless, Frank hastily interrupted, he happened to be near enough to hear something of the row, when he ought to be able to guess what really happened. In that case I expect that later on, when he thinks the coast may be clear, Pudge will try to communicate with us. As you say, we must keep on the alert. If you hear a sound that comes stealing from far away on the shore and resembles the bawl of a bull, answer it. Pudge will be in a stew about us, of course.
They sat there for some time listening, and exchanging occasional remarks. Then, at Billys suggestion, they made use of the stout straps that were attached to each seat, intended to enable the navigators of the air to reduce to a minimum the risk of falling from a dizzy height.
Take your choice, Frank, first watch or second, was the next proposition advanced by the one-time reporter. Im used to be up at all hours of the night that was my busy time on the paper. So turn in, and Ill take charge of the deck.
Itll only be a cat nap then, Billy, said the other, settling himself as comfortably as the conditions allowed, which was not saying much. See that bright star over there in the west; it will drop behind the horizon in about an hour or so. Shake me then if I happen to be asleep.
All right, Frank. And if anything crops up in the meantime that bothers me, Im going to disturb you in a hurry.
I hope you will, Billy; we cant afford to take any chances, understand, for the sake of a little sleep. Listen for signs of Pudge. It would relieve me a whole lot if I knew that he was safe.
After that Billy sat there and kept watch. The buoyant craft that had been so cleverly constructed so as to be equally at home on the water or in the air, rode the lazy billows that came rolling in from the Channel. The only sounds Billy could hear close by were the constant lapping of the waves against the side of the craft; though further off, toward the city, there was a half subdued murmur, such as might accompany the gathering of thousands of men in camp.
The lights had almost wholly vanished by this time, showing the strict discipline that was in vogue in these stirring times. Frequently had daring German aviators appeared above Dunkirk to drop their bombs in the endeavor to damage the congested stores of the British troops, or strike a note of terror among the inhabitants of the Channel city.
Billy every little while twisted his head around and looked in different directions. But thick darkness lay about the floating seaplane, utterly concealing the shore as well as all vessels that lay further along in the harbor.
Possibly half an hour had passed in this way when Billy felt a sudden thrill. He started up, straining his hearing, as though to catch the repetition of some sound he believed he had heard.
Then, leaning over, he shook Frank.
Its Pudge signaling, Frank, or else Im away off my base. Listen! was what he told the other, in excited tones.
A minute later and they both caught the far-away sound of what seemed to be the winding blast of an Alpine hunters horn.
Yes, its Pudge, all right, and he wants to hear from us if were within reach of the sound of his signal. Answer him, Billy!
Already Billy had taken the horn from its fastenings, and no sooner had Frank given the order than he applied it to his lips. The sound that went forth, coming as it did from the blackness of the sea beyond, must have astonished any sailor on board the various steamers in the harbor.
Once, twice, three times did Billy give the peculiar note that Pudge knew so well. It must tell the absent chum that they were safe, and in the language of their secret code ask how things were going with him.
There, hes given us back the message word for word! cried Billy, as they caught the faint but positive reply from the unseen shore, perhaps at the deserted hangar. Frank, hes all right! That takes a big load off our minds.
Yes, now I can rest easy! declared the other. As that star isnt close to the sea as yet, Billy, if you dont mind, I think Ill try for a few more winks of sleep. Pudge will go back to town and stay at our lodgings until we turn up, or send him a message. Everything is working finely.
For us, added Billy, chuckling. But think how mad those spies must be over losing the prize they thought was sure to fall into their hands. Why, I wouldnt be surprised if they discounted the capture of our seaplane, and over in Belgium were ready to start to work making copies of the same as soon as the sample could be delivered.
Billy appeared to be highly amused, for he chuckled to himself for several minutes while picturing the disappointment of the baffled plotters. Then once more he settled down to his task of serving as officer of the watch.
As the minutes crept on, Billy began to observe the gradual approach of the star to the vague region where sea and heavens merged in one. In fact, Billy was yawning quite frequently now. He found himself fairly comfortable, thanks to the warmth of that leather fleece-lined jacket, and the hood which he had drawn partly over his head. Still, it was not very delightful, sitting there on the water; and perhaps the boys thoughts frequently turned toward the bed he was missing.
I wonder which way were drifting now? he suddenly asked himself; he immediately set to work trying to answer his question by observing the direction of the tide, as well as by the light current of air.
When next he thought to turn his head so as to glance backward, Billy received a bit of a shock. A sort of thin haze had settled down on the water by now, but through this he had discovered two moving lights. They looked very queer as seen in that foggy atmosphere; but Billy was smart enough to know what they stood for.