At first sight Farrar saw what appeared to be an exaggerated tadpole floating on the water. The flying-boat was at least eighty feet in length, with a blunt, rounded bow and a bulging body for'ard, gradually tapering to a narrow, slightly up-turned stern. Being broadside on the immense wing-spread of her triplanes was hardly noticeable until the launch drew nearer.
"Come aboard," was Billy's invitation, "only please mind your beetle-crushers. I don't want my mahogany planking scratched."
The flying-boat, on the bows of which was painted the name "Avenger," was the triumph of expert brains and painstaking workmanship. The hull was built of double-skinned mahogany with a layer of oiled silk between the outer diagonal and inner fore and aft planks, the skin being securely fastened to elm timbers and ribs. Underneath, although for the present invisible, were six hydroplane steps to facilitate the boat's ascent when "taking off" from the surface.
Wide waterways formed the deck, the sheer being broken by the raised gun platform for'ard, and, immediately in its wake, the conning tower and navigation cabin; 'midships the motor-room and petrol tanks, aft stores and provisions. Four light but powerful guns of the Cleland Davis 5-in. non-recoil type, aerial torpedo dropping gear, and a pair of searchlights comprised the attacking and defensive armament.
Lightness compatible with strength was everywhere evident, yet the tremendous bulk that had to be raised by the joint action of the planes and the four propellers, actuated by ten motors each of 200 h.p., was not far short of fifty tons. While water-borne the flying-boat was propelled by a single propeller coupled to a 160 h.p. petrol motor.
"What's her crew—how many?" inquire Farrar.
"Eighteen all told," replied Barcroft. "We work in watches. Kirkwood, my flight-sub, takes the port watch. He's gone down to Bighi this afternoon to look up an old pal, Waynsford by name, who is convalescing after a touch of Maltese fever."
"By Jove!" exclaimed Farrar enthusiastically; "she is a ripper. I like that idea of a fore-and-aft canopy. Wish I had a chance of taking on this sort of job."
"You never know your luck," answered Billy. "For the present, however, I suppose you must make the best of things on the 'Zenodorus.' If you have a chance give my regards to your skipper. He's an old chum of mine, I must look him up at the first opportunity."
"Why not this afternoon?" asked Holcombe, "You are going back with us in the launch?"