“I was going to give you five minutes more,” declared the Hall chauffeur. “We’d better be getting back. It’s getting late.”
After that matters went along smoothly for several days. The Rover boys paid close attention to their studies. During that time the boys heard from the aviator and his wrecked biplane. It had been found that the biplane could be raised with comparative ease, and this had been done and it had then been floated over to the shore. The propeller was broken, as already mentioned, and one of the wings of the flying machine was also damaged. It was learned that the motor had become loosened from its fastenings, just as the other aviator had surmised, and this had caused all the trouble. The machine was taken away and the aviators went with it, and that was the last seen or heard of them for the time being. The aero corporation paid Mr. Stevenson’s doctor’s bill. Perhaps they looked for a suit for damages, but it was not forthcoming.
The next Sunday the Rover boys attended one of the churches at Haven Point and met Mary and Martha and a number of the other girls.
“It’s been decided that we’re to hold the races on this side of the lake,” said Fred, after the services were over and they were outside talking to the girls. “It was decided by a toss-up, and, believe me, the Longley crowd was mad when they lost. They chewed it over for nearly an hour before they would give in. They said that it would be much better to race over on the other side of the lake, along where the Hasley Shell Loading Company used to have its ammunition plant.”
“Good gracious! do they want to blow us all up?” questioned Martha, who had not forgotten the terrible experience all of them had had when some of the buildings of the shell loading company had been blown up, as related in detail in “The Rover Boys Under Canvas.”
“Oh, as far as that is concerned, the plant went out of existence long ago,” answered Jack. “But there isn’t much of a population over there, and it will be much nicer to have it on this side where so many people can look at it from the shore. It was decided that Longley Academy should have the use of one of the big docks, so they’ll have no cause to complain.”
“Can we be on hand to see the races?” questioned Ruth.
“That, of course, will depend on what Miss Garwood has to say,” answered the young major. “But I think Colonel Colby will see her about it and fix it up. And if he does, you may be sure that we’ll take care of all of you.”
“I know Tommy Flanders expects to row. He’s been bragging about it everywhere,” declared May.