"There's a thick haze out there," said one of the officers, as the aeroplanes vanished.
The word ran through the crowd and created a momentary sensation. Then the big throng dismissed the flying aeroplanes from its mind, and wandered about the grounds gazing openmouthed at the freak types, whose inventors were willing enough—too willing—to explain their remarkable points.
It might be a long time before the first of the homing craft would come in sight and what was the use of worrying about them. Only in the wooden structure housing the naval officers was there any concern displayed.
"If it's thick weather," said Lieutenant Bradbury, summing up a discussion, "they're going to have some trouble on their hands out there."
CHAPTER XXII.
THE WHITE PERIL.
"What's that? No, not that schooner below there—I mean that sort of whitish drift—it looks like cotton—on the horizon?"
Jess leaned forward and addressed Jimsy.