“Oh, it was an accident,” replied Jerry pleasantly. “It’s partly my fault, for I should not have left the monkey wrench on the shelf where it was likely to get knocked off. But perhaps we can make repairs.”
“If you can’t, we’ll be in a bad way,” declared Jim Nestor in a low voice to Jerry.
“Why so?” asked the tall lad.
“Because this is a big desert, and there’s no water on it. Unless you’ve got plenty to last until you can start again, there’s liable to be trouble.”
“We have plenty, I think,” replied Jerry. “We’ll get right to work on the engine.”
He was interrupted by a cry from Bob, who was on the other side of the airship.
“What’s the matter, Chunky?” called Ned.
“I’ve found a spring of water,” answered the stout youth. “Let’s get a drink.”
Jerry hurried to where his two chums were. There on the sands of the desert was a damp place, as if water was present. It needed but a glance from Jerry’s quick eyes, however, to cause him to hurry back into the airship.
“It’s a leak in one of our water tanks!” he cried. “That is no spring! Hurry, here, fellows, and help me to transfer this water! Lively now!”