“Well, we can’t help it, and we’ve got to expect it,” answered Jerry. “Make the best of it, but don’t let any of ’em come aboard. They may do some damage.”
The throng consisted, for the most part, of boys and men, though there were a few young women in it. They all gazed at the airship in open-mouthed wonder, but they showed a commendable desire to keep some distance back.
“I guess Noddy’s bluff about the gas being likely to explode, or kill people, was a good thing,” announced Ned. “It will keep them back.”
The boys made a hasty lunch, and reviewed their work of repairing the ship. The crowd grew larger and completely surrounded the stalled Comet. Toward the middle of the afternoon the throng was very dense, and some of the lads in it, becoming bold, by the fact that nothing had happened, began to run up on the deck when Jerry, Ned and Bob were off to one side.
“There’ll be trouble if we don’t look out,” said Jerry in a low voice to his chums. “Here, you get out of that!” he yelled to a daring youngster who had entered the pilot house, and was yanking on the wheels and levers.
Others in the crowd, emboldened by the feat of this lad, began to climb upon the airship, and our heroes would soon have been overwhelmed by eager, if kindly, curious investigators. The trouble, however, was speedily over, for several police officers unexpectedly arrived on the scene, and reported to Jerry. They said they had been sent out by the chief, who had instructed them to keep the crowd back.
This they at once proceeded to do, and the lads were not further hampered by the throng, but could proceed with the repair work in peace.
That night the most of it was done, and the following day, after sleeping on board the Comet, it was resumed. The crowd was larger than ever the second day, but more police were on hand and no harm resulted. Late that afternoon Jerry announced that he was ready for a trial flight.
“Are you going to put right for Cresville?” asked Bob.