[CHAPTER XXIII]
OVER THE OCEAN
For a few moments after this unexpected announcement neither of the motor boys knew what to say. Nor did Professor Snodgrass seem able to utter anything in keeping with the seriousness of the occasion. As for Mr. Durkin, and the officers of the meet, who were anxious for our heroes to start on the rescue expedition, they gazed blankly at the sheriff’s officer, whom they correctly guessed the man to be.
“Do you mean that we can’t leave in our own motor-ship?” demanded Jerry, stepping out on deck.
“That’s exactly what I mean,” was the reply. “I’m Deputy Sheriff Morton, and I’ve got an attachment on this airship, or whatever you call it. I’m in possession now, and I forbid you to leave this place with the ship,” saying which Mr. Morton jumped aboard.
“I guess you fellers will sing a different tune now!” exclaimed another voice, and pushing through the crowd came Mr. Muggins himself, a grim smile on his wrinkled features. “You thought you’d git ahead of me, sneakin’ off in th’ night, but I allowed as how you’d point fer this balloon fair. So I jest hitched up, went t’ th’ sheriff an’ swore out an attachment ag’in ye, an’ here I be. Ye don’t stir till ye pay my thousand dollars.”
“But we don’t owe you a thousand dollars!” exclaimed Ned, to whom every moment of delay seemed an hour, so anxious was he to do something to save 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’s deputy coolly took a seat in the cabin of the motor-ship, and looked through the opened windows at the crowd. There had been murmurs of indignation when Mr. Morton prevented the ship from leaving, but at this explanation several inquiries were made as to how the affair had originated.
Jerry briefly explained the accident, stating that the barn was only slightly damaged, and he told of the shabby treatment accorded him and his chums by Mr. Muggins.