“Well, I’m with you then,” agreed Bill. “Is your airship ready to run?”
“I can make her so in a little while. Let’s go back to our house.”
For a time, after getting into trouble, Noddy had left town with his parents, who thought of remaining away permanently, but Mr. Nixon had since moved back to Cresville, though living in a different house than the one he formerly occupied. Noddy, as my former readers know, had a large airship. It was one of several he had owned, and, though it was nowhere near as complete and powerful as the Comet, was quite serviceable.
So, while Noddy and Bill were preparing to follow our friends, in the hope of trailing them to some hidden fortune, Jerry and his chums were getting ready for the rescue flight.
“I’ll be with you in a few minutes!” called Professor Snodgrass when he was told that the start would soon be made. “I just want to get a small net, with a long handle, because I may see some rare insects in the upper air. We’ll have to let the sea crabs go for a time, until you boys can build a submarine.”
“I’m afraid that will be a long while,” said Jerry, as he looked to see that the plane-shifting levers worked properly.
It was decided to navigate at first as an aeroplane, since, after the storm, the weather was very calm. By telegraph, as good a description as possible had been obtained as to where the Hassen had been last seen. The boys intended to cruise around over this spot in ever-increasing circles.
“All aboard!” cried Bob, as he climbed up on the main deck. “We’ve got enough to eat for two weeks.”
“Trust Chunky for that,” commented Ned with a smile. “Are you coming, Professor.”
“Yes!” cried the little scientist. “I think I have everything. I am going——” he had started from the house toward the airship, but stopped suddenly to peer at something on the ground.