The joyous uproar continued as all the passengers came down the steps from the gondola, but later a sympathetic silence fell as the waiting ambulance backed up and its white-clad attendants disappeared into the ship. Expert hands bore out two stretchers with their swathed forms. Florsheim, sensing the sympathy, got his arm from under the blanket and waved it with a pale grin, while a cheer burst out again, this time not for the ship but for the two injured men being given over to the care of the skilful surgeons for whom Germany is justly noted. When the ambulance had gone, the crowd surged toward the ship.
The best of German mechanics waited to assist the crew of the Moonbeam in grooming her. David, standing at Mr. Hammond’s side, felt the good fellowship and sportsmanship which permeated the welcome. The Moonbeam was trying to surpass the record of their own Graf Zeppelin, but there was no resentment.
One ferocious-looking and red-faced general in the Air Corps stared hard at David as he walked away, then exploded, “And where iss your captain?”
“There is our captain and pilot, general,” said Mr. Hammond, bowing.
“Gott in Himmel, he iss a poy, chust a poy! Do you Americans set children, then, to sail your ships?”
“Not quite, general,” answered Mr. Hammond, smiling, “but Captain Ellison is one in a million; a genius in his chosen field. We lost the services of our captain and first pilot on the way over. The captain went—well, he became very ill from the effects of an old wound, and the pilot sustained an injury. We are leaving them both here in the hospital.
“A terrific storm was approaching at the time, and I was obliged to put young Ellison in charge. He handled the ship like a veteran. I am convinced that his cleverness and good judgment saved it, in fact, and I have made him captain for the entire flight. I have absolute confidence in him.”
“Fine, fine!” exploded the general heartily. “I congratulate you. Good bilots are born, and nod mate. You are luggy.”
CHAPTER VIII
THE CRADLE OF THE ZEPPELIN
He watched the retreating back of the young captain under discussion with the wise eyes of a man who can read men.