"Huh," said Big Jack. "I guess there's no cause for alarm. Barking dogs seldom bite, you know."
They continued on to the freight station and there found that practically their entire equipment had arrived, and that they now had before them a day to be devoted almost entirely to getting their plane together, to be followed by all sorts of strength and endurance tests. To the former task they applied themselves just as soon as the parts could be transferred from the station to their hangar, and throughout the ensuing hours there was the most enthusiastic energy, not only among our friends from Brighton, but as well in the immediate vicinity of every other hangar.
Crowds witnessed the eager preparations that were going forward for the first attempt at crossing the Atlantic through the air; while by automobile truck and dray, tons upon tons of fuel and oil were being brought up to the point where the machines soon would take on the fuel, lubricants, food, etc., necessary to the flight.
By nightfall the giant two-motor combination hydro-aeroplane was practically completed, and Big Jack announced that they would begin putting aboard oil and petrol that night, preparatory to complete tryouts the following morning. These things done, and the crew would be ready for its long fly across the ocean just as soon as sufficient tonnage of fuel and oil were aboard.
"Well, it's coming close to the finals, anyway," announced Carew as they knocked off work and went to their shack for supper. "By this time tomorrow night, barring accidents or such weather as would prevent tests, we will be ready for the start. How about the wireless, Fred?"
"All set up, ready for the most exacting experiments tomorrow," the radio expert replied.
Just as he was speaking, Henryson passed by. He looked at the group, but did not say a word.
"I wish that fellow would stay out of my sight," said Donald Harlan impatiently. "I don't like his face."
Big Jack laughed deprecatingly, but nevertheless he, too, turned to look after the Norwegian, whose words and manner had caused a sort of uneasiness with all of the lads.
"All I've got to say," said Andy Flures, "is that he had better mind his own business or we'll make it hot, as well as interesting, for him and his crew."