Rapidly the Comet sped on her way, being headed toward New York. Every hour the rescued ones recovered their strength, and soon all traces of the poisonous gas had vanished. Ned was eager to telegraph the good news to his father, and Jerry was soon able to get into wireless communication with a steamer below them. The operator, though much surprised to get a message out of the air, readily promised to relay it to New York and Cresville, as his apparatus had a wider range than that of the Comet.
“Well, I never expected to come so far over the ocean,” remarked Jerry the next day, when they were nearing the coast. “Our hydroplanes did us good service.”
“They’re great,” commented Mr. Jackson. “I’m going to put them on the next air-craft I make.”
“Only for them I’d never have my singing-fish,” said Mr. Snodgrass, who had made copious notes about his prize. It had died, but he had preserved it. “It is the most wonderful specimen I ever caught,” he declared.
However, he soon afterward secured one that was even stranger, when, in company with our heroes, he went on another voyage with them. The details of this will be found in the next volume of this Series, to be called “The Motor Boys on the Wing; or, Seeking the Airship Treasure.”
“I wonder how it will seem to be on solid ground again?” asked Mr. Watson of Mr. Jackson, when Jerry announced the next day that they were within sight of New York.
“So good that I’m not going to leave it again in a hurry,” announced the millionaire. “I’m done with ballooning for the present, though I’m not going to give it up altogether.”
They flew over New York, to the great astonishment of the millions of that great city, and on to the aviation ground, where a descent was made. There our heroes were royally received, and the story of the marvellous rescue told over and over again. The matter of the claim of Mr. Muggins was adjusted, his lawyer advising him to accept one hundred dollars, which he reluctantly did, and the incident was closed.
“Come on, let’s hurry home,” urged Ned, who was anxious to give his father the valuable paper. Mr. Jackson promised all the financial aid that Mr. Slade needed, and said he would be glad to see the merchant get the better of his financial enemies.