So straight was their course that as they neared they caused a small panic on the tanker. Captain and crew suddenly came to the disconcerting conviction that the plane had gotten beyond control and was going to crash upon them. There was a great scurrying about, and, unexpected by Jack and Andy, the ship suddenly veered in her course, almost bringing about that which her captain was trying to avoid.
As a result, Jack had to put the rudder down hard, throw on the power, and take an upward course which would clear them of the zigzagging steamer. In a wide circle the plane then was brought to the surface, so close to the ship that the respective officers and crews could converse without the use of megaphones.
In a Wide Circle the Plane was Brought to the Surface.
"Who are you?" the captain of the tanker demanded, when he had recovered from mixed feelings of fear and admiration, brought on first by the narrow escape from a collision, and then by the expert surface landing which the hydro-aeroplane made.
"Americans entrants in the Transatlantic," Jack responded instantly. "Guess we're in the lead. Haven't sighted any of the others, have you?"
"I should say not," the captain replied, "and I wouldn't have believed my eyes if I had seen one headed this way, if it hadn't been we got your wireless first. Say! You fellows have got some nerve, all right. Any accidents?"
"Oh, had to stop a couple of times for minor repairs," Jack answered modestly. "And we got into the teeth of a hurricane that drove us back two or three hundred miles. That's the reason we're short of fuel. Can you spare any?"