Captain Hazzard thought a minute.
"It seems to be the only chance," he said at last, "but I don't know that I ought to let you assume such responsibility."
"We will be in no greater danger than the professor is; much less, in fact," urged Frank. "Please let us go. If we can save his life it is worth running the risk."
"Perhaps you are right, my boy," said Captain Hazzard at length, "at any rate, promise me to run no unnecessary danger."
The promise was readily given and with a cheer the men set to work to hoist the cases containing the sections of the aeroplane over the side and row them ashore. The work was carried on under the glare of the searchlights of the two ships. In two hours' time the Golden Eagle was ready for an engine test which showed her machinery to be in perfectly good trim.
"She is fit for the flight of her life," declared Frank, as he stopped the engine.
"Is everything ready?" asked Captain Hazzard.
"Yes," was the reply, "except for two canteens of water, some condensed soup tablets and two tins of biscuit."
"You have your weapons?"
"I have sent to the ship for two 'Express' rifles, each carrying a heavy charge and explosive bullets. In addition we have our revolvers and some dynamite bombs—the ones that were designed to be used in blasting polar ice," said Frank.