"We shall have to strip the Eagle," decided Frank, when the inflation job was finished.
"Of everything that we can spare," added Harry, setting to work at once to rip the transoms and detach the bolts that held the heavy wireless apparatus in place. As he did so, Frank was moved by a sudden thought.
"Hold on a second, Harry," he shouted, "I'll call up the river camp before we cut off all communication."
Rapidly he sent out the call. Again and again his nervous finger agitated the key—but there was no response.
"They—they don't answer," gasped Frank at last—heavy anxiety in his tones.
"Oh, Frank, do you think anything serious is the matter?" cried Harry.
"It may only be that the apparatus is out of order," replied the elder brother seriously; "but it looks bad. That field wireless was in prime condition and it would be next to impossible for them to fail to receive our call."
"Well, there is only one thing to be done," remarked the practical Ben Stubbs.
"And that is—?" queried Harry.
"To get back there as soon as possible, for if they need us they need us dern bad," was the energetic reply.