In turn Mr. Jackson related how, after ascending to a great height soon after leaving the aviation grounds, his craft was caught in the hurricane and driven out to sea. Then the propelling machinery broke, and they could only drift about at the mercy of the wind. For days they were driven onward, thinking each hour would be their last. They tried to signal for help from steamers passing below them, but could not, as their wireless was soon out of order, and they were too high up to make any other means effective.
They dared not descend, for fear of being drowned. Besides, to go down, they would have had to let the gas escape, and they had no means of making more. To keep afloat was their only hope, and they did, trusting to be rescued some time. Then they were blown out of the steamship lane, and did not know what to do.
Finally, when they had given up hope, and were going to descend, and try to make some sort of a raft to float on, there came a leak in the gas-bag, and, one by one, they became unconscious. A little longer and they would have been dead. But the Comet came along in time.
“Well, I certainly am glad to see you again, professor; and also your young friends,” said Mr. Jackson heartily, when he was feeling somewhat stronger.
“And I’m glad to see you,” spoke Ned.
“Yes, my friend here has a request to make of you,” went on Mr. Snodgrass, “and, if possible, I wish you would grant it. He has had quite a chase after you.”
“I’d do most anything for you, Uriah,” declared the millionaire, with a smile, “for I haven’t forgotten the service you did me.”
“Then save Ned’s father from financial ruin,” was the request, and Ned at once brought out his papers, and made a plea for the rescue of his parent’s business. It did not take Mr. Jackson a moment to make up his mind.
“Of course I’ll help Mr. Slade,” he said; “not only for his own sake, but because of his plucky son and his chums, and also to beat that gang of men who want to ruin him. Here, I’ll sign at once, and you can be a witness, Uriah.” There was the scratching of a pen, and Ned knew that his father’s troubles were practically over.