[CHAPTER XXX.]
A STRANGE MEETING.
The work of rescue was not easily accomplished. The boys did not dare attach a rope to the dirigible as there was a chance that the craft would sink at any moment. But by good luck the occupants of the craft had on board a plank which they used in climbing in and out of the airship’s substructure.
This came in useful now. Under Jack’s direction the plank was extended between the two craft and one by one the luckless voyagers of the Sky Eagle were transferred to the Electric Monarch. Great was their wonderment at the surprising craft that had effected their rescue when they had given up all hope.
Greater still was their gratitude to the brave lads who, at the risk of their lives, had followed the ocean air-lanes in search of the missing dirigible.
“We owe our lives to you, lads. I do not know how I can ever thank you,” declared Mr. Morse, the owner of the craft.
In the meantime Henry Tyler, the machinist and engineer of the Sky Eagle, had been staring at Ned Nevins with an amazement that was akin to unbelief.
“Surely you are Ned, Jeptha Nevins’s nephew?” he exclaimed at length.
“Yes, and you are Henry Tyler, his dearest friend!” replied Ned, as the two warmly shook hands.