“Quick!” cried the girl. “Let me help you.”
I sat up, quite dazed, and glanced about me. We were in an open field, just now deserted by the natives, and Alfonso’s Antoinette rested upon the ground a short distance away. I could not have stood alone, but Lucia dragged me to my feet and half supported me while I tottered to the machine. It was a great effort to climb aboard, but the girl, naturally strong and rendered doubly so by excitement, got me into the seat and then deftly started the motors as she sprang up beside me.
The machine rolled along the ground a little way, lifted its nose and then soared into the air like a bird. I was still marveling at the girl’s wonderful control of the aëroplane when the ship came in sight. We dipped downward, the motor ceased to whir and the next moment we gracefully alighted full upon the deck of the ship.
A mighty cheer rang in my ears. Then all turned black and I lost consciousness.
CHAPTER XVI
THE WAY IT HAPPENED
When I recovered I was surrounded by my friends. Father and Uncle Naboth were administering restoratives while Ned Britton, Alfonso and Señor de Jiminez stood by in a sympathetic group with the sailors for a background. Lucia, squatted in a heap upon the deck, was sobbing into a wet handkerchief. Evidently, now that the adventure was over, the brave girl was wholly unnerved.
Still dazed, but trying to collect my thoughts, I sat up.
“Where’s Joe?” I asked.
My father was silent and Uncle Naboth shook his head. Lucia redoubled her sobs. This made me anxious. I got upon my feet with an effort and said:
“Isn’t he here?”