Though chafing at the delay, Strogoff wholly agreed with Captain Walki that possible overstraining of the rigging and mechanism of the aircraft was something that must be avoided.
As it was, Billy and Henri had their hands full in repairing some damage already done.
“You boys wear a couple of level heads,” admiringly commented the big policeman, when landing was made; “there is more ventilation aloft this morning than I have ever experienced, but perhaps you are used to it—at least it did not seem to bother you much.”
“If it had, Mr. Strogoff,” jollied Billy, “you might have been spread all over the ground by this time.”
Shortly after the noon hour the high wind shifted, and when flight was resumed the gusty force was behind the biplanes, which served to increase their speed to a tremendous degree.
Notwithstanding this, however, the long stop had served to vastly increase the lead of the transport, which had never ceased to plow ahead by the impulse of its powerful propellers.
The vessel was steaming into Vloclavek harbor when the onrushing biplanes neared this port.
By the time the aviators could reach the ground, the ship was at anchor, with many small boats plying about her.
Captain Walki immediately approached one of the ship’s officers, who was standing on the quay, and explained the situation.
“There was quite a number shoveling below as we came up,” said the official addressed, “and the only thing to do is to go on board and look them over. There’s a gig at your service.”