“And they may be still!” cried Jerry, quickly. “We’re not going to give up yet. Why, I think it’s good luck that we located the wreck. We did it sooner than I expected. And when we go aboard we may find some message they left—we may even find that mysterious object, or whatever it was, that your uncle was bringing to this country, Bob.”
“Are you going aboard?” asked Ned.
“Certainly. Why not? The sea is calm, and it will be safe to make our craft fast to the ship. We’ll take a look around and then start off again and search for the small boats. It’s them we want, for if any persons were saved from the Hassen they’ll be drifting about in small boats.”
The Comet was some distance from the Hassen now, but Jerry slowly started the propellers, which would take the air craft up to the ship over the surface of the water on the hydroplanes as well as though they were sailing through the air, though not so swiftly.
“Stand by with a line to make her fast, if you can see anything to tie to, Ned,” called Jerry, as they approached closer to the wreck.
“Hadn’t we better go around on the other side? We may find an accommodation ladder down, or part of one, and that will make it easier to board her,” suggested Bob.
“That’s right, Chunky!” exclaimed Jerry. “Hold on there a minute, Ned. I’ll put her around.”
On the other side of the Hassen the boys saw part of a ladder dangling over the side.
“That’s good!” exclaimed Bob, with a sigh of content. He was getting stouter than ever and he did not relish the idea of any unnecessary gymnastics in boarding the wreck.
“Make fast to that, if you can’t see anything else, Ned,” suggested Jerry. Ned, however, found a projection on the side of the wrecked craft, and took a couple of turns of the rope about it. The Comet was now drifting with the Hassen.