Jerry, who was in the lead, was now within twenty-five feet of the Comet. He was narrowly watching it, and suddenly he saw a figure emerge from the cabin.
“Hi there! Jack Pender!” cried the tall lad, as he broke into a run.
Jack Pender gave one look, uttered a warning yell, and then leaped over the side of the airship and ran across the meadow at full speed. An instant later another figure emerged from the cabin. It was that of Noddy Nixon. He, too, took in the situation at a glance, and saw the three motor boys and the chief of police.
Noddy tried to follow the example of Pender, his crony. He leaped over the side of the craft, but he was not so lucky in recovering his balance. Before he could run Jerry was upon him.
“Now I’ve got you!” cried the tall lad, shaking Noddy by the collar. “I’ll teach you to steal our airship!”
“You let me alone!” blustered Noddy, and he began to punch Jerry. This was more than Jerry could stand, and he turned in and gave the bully the best thrashing he had received in some time. It did not take long, either, for Jerry was thoroughly and righteously angry, and Noddy was like a lump of putty when it came to fighting. By the time Ned, Bob and the chief had come up, the bully was in a pitiable state.
“There, you get out of this, and thank your stars that you’re not arrested on a serious charge,” said Jerry indignantly, as he gave the ugly-faced lad a shove that sent him head-first into a puddle of water.
“You wait, Jerry Hopkins!” spluttered Noddy, as he got up. “I’ll fix you for this,” but he did not stay to talk further, for Jerry advanced toward him. Off over the fields, after Jack Pender, ran the discomfited bully.
“See anything of Mr. Bell?” inquired Ned, as he, with Bob and the chief, followed Jerry into the cabin of the airship.
“He doesn’t seem to be around,” was the answer.