“I think we’re in for a storm. I saw a flash of lightning just then.”
“Bur-r-r-r!” exclaimed Ned with a little shiver. “I don’t fancy a blow in this exposed place.”
“Oh, I guess we can weather it,” spoke Jerry.
“Anyhow, I’m glad my uncle and cousin are not out in an open boat,” added Bob.
Jerry’s prophecy of a storm was borne out. It came up rapidly and soon there was quite a gale of wind, while the lightning flashes grew more and more frequent. The accompanying thunder roared alarmingly.
It grew darker rapidly, and the storm seemed likely to last through the night. Rain began to fall, but the boys did not mind that.
Everything was made snug aboard the craft, which scudded along through the blackness of the night, illuminated by the flashes from the sky.
“I wonder where that submarine is now?” said Bob musingly.
“Probably far down beyond the influence of the waves,” answered Jerry.
It must have been about midnight, when none of those on the Comet had cared to turn in that, following several slight flashes, there came one of vivid brilliancy. There was that same crackling sound at first, as the boys had noticed once before, and then a terrific crash, that seemed to split right through the airship.