“Not for me,” sighed Buck. “And that’s what you thought I could do? Not in a thousand years. Take it away.”
“Here’s a little one that is easier,” went on Alan pointing to a smaller card while the other boys laughed.
“Looks better than the alphabet and funny marks and figures,” conceded Buck. “What’s that?”
“This is another land chart,” explained Alan. “It tells us where we ought to strike Ireland—sort o’ postscript to the other chart. With it and your knowledge of London’s vicinity we ought to be able to shut up the compass later. Look at it! It won’t bite.”
This smaller table was:
| Arran Island (Galway Bay) Ireland to London Air Line Route | ||
| Fogo Island (Newfoundland), to Arran Island (Ireland) | 1,665.1 | Miles |
| Arran Island (North Light) to Gorey (Wexford) | 123 | " |
| To line off shore between Arklow Bank and Blackwater Bank | 8 | " |
| To Cardigan Bay Lightship | 56 | " |
| Cardigan Lightship to New Quay, Wales (England) | 41 | " |
| New Quay to London, passing south of Hereford, over Cheltenham, between Oxford and Abingdon and south of Harrow to Hyde Park | 165 | " |
| ———— | ||
| Total | 2,058.1 | Miles |
“Find Oxford,” was Buck’s only comment, “and I’ll show you the way from that town. If that’s all for the present I’ll go below and wash the dishes.”
The Flyer being now well on her new course there was a conference and a program was made of the night watches. These were divided into three-hour tricks beginning at ten o’clock (“or three o’clock, which ever you like,” suggested Ned laughing). Bob had already instructed Buck as to the things to look out for in the engine—that the gasoline and ether supplies were free and working, that the lubricating cups were full of oil and, most essential, that the bearings were not hot. The two reporters were to alternate in the engine room, Buck going on at ten o’clock and giving Bob an extra hour on the first trick which would give the latter four hours straight sleep.
“Here are notes on the best time we can make to each change of course,” suggested Roy. “If some one will call me before the altering time I’ll get enough sleep between legs. The pilot can watch his own barometer and I’ll note everything about once an hour.”
This was agreed upon, Ned insisting on giving Roy three hours undisturbed sleep between one and four o’clock, when Alan relieved him. Ned and Alan were to manage the wheel, generally taking three hours on and three off. This arrangement being agreeable to all Roy took the wheel while the captain and Alan made a complete survey of the airship. Each detail of the engines was scrutinized and further explanations made to Buck. Then, drawing on sweaters, for the sea air was cold and damp, the Airship Boys examined each plane and its supports and finally oiled the rudder bearings and refilled the propeller lubricators.