“Maybe we’ve got time to get out there and back before it comes on real bad,” he admitted.
“Of course we have. Come on.”
Tom started on a run for the shed that housed the Wondership. As he went, he flung back word to Jack to “hustle.” From the ship came a fourth booming report.
“They’re watching us through glasses,” said Jack, as they ploughed through the sand. “They’ve guessed that we are going to help them somehow.”
“That means that we’ve got to make good,” was Tom’s comment.
They had almost gained the shed door when they saw coming toward them across the dunes a solitary figure, making its way with difficulty over the heavy sand.
“It’s dad!” cried Jack. “He has come to make us a visit, and left the machine back there on the road.”
“That’s so. It is Uncle Chester, sure enough,” assented Tom rather gloomily. “I guess our trial trip is off right now.”
“Yes; I don’t think he’d allow us to take out the Wondership in such weather as this promises to be,” agreed Jack with equal ruefulness. “Still, something should be done to aid those poor people out there.”
“Hullo! What’s the matter with him?” cried Tom in an astonished voice the next instant, for, on seeing the boys, the usually dignified Professor Chadwick had broken into a run. As he floundered along he was shouting excitedly words that they could not catch, and waving something in his hand.