Nor was the younger of the guests alone in his quick thinking. Mr. Graham, Mr. Mackworth and Frank were just trying to make out the situation when Phil, throwing himself from the cabin of the car with a cry of warning, grew tense with a new alarm. The smouldering blaze beneath the runway had found the spilled gasoline on the boards above and the little flames suddenly exploded into a puff of thick white smoke. The dripping can had left enough gasoline to set the runway on [fire].
As those in the shed rushed forward, led by Phil, Captain Ludington, well ahead of them, had already saved the day. With no hesitation, and realizing that the safety of the airship depended on instant action, he had thrown off his long frock coat, tossed it on the blazing runway and was smothering the blaze beneath its folds.
It was only a few minutes’ work to control the blazing shavings and once again the perspiring group drew natural breaths. Lord Pelton was already laughing at his bedraggled appearance.
“Don’t come near me with cigars,” he shouted, “or I’ll explode.”
His silk hat had rolled aside into the sand and rubbish; his high collar, light scarf, shirt front and cuffs were limp with gasoline and the red tint of the can had ruined the front of his coat.
“You’ll need an overcoat or a barrel,” laughed Captain Ludington.
“How about you?” retorted Lord Pelton who, to Frank’s and Phil’s amazement, seemed more amused than annoyed. At the same moment Lord Pelton pushed Captain Ludington aside and picked up the latter’s coat. Two large, charred holes exposed the lining within.
“It’ll be cooler,” laughed the captain. “Meanwhile,” he added more seriously, “if we saved our airship from damage I think we may congratulate ourselves. And as for you,” he went on with a great pretense of indignation and facing Mr. Mackworth, “let this be a warning to you and your endless black cigars. Now a decent pipe and this would never—”
“Properly rebuked,” exclaimed Mr. Mackworth. “I shall not smoke for an hour as a penance. For your brilliant personal services I shall see that each of you receives a hero’s medal. As to how you are to effect a retreat, that too shall be arranged. The destruction of your clothes need not annoy you. Where we are going I assure you there will be no need for frock coats. If you ever return to London I shall do further penance by ordering your tailors to make you new and whole.”
Mr. Graham could not so humorously dismiss the incident. He attempted genuine apologies but the Englishmen persisted in turning the affair about; declaring that the possible prevention of damage to the Loon made the other damage not worth consideration. After Frank and Phil had had their say the boys withdrew into the aërodrome.