The muggy air prevented the young airman from making out what had become of the Whirlwind or their trailers. Dave had steadied quite successfully on a lateral course when Hiram leaned over towards him.
“Dave,” he spoke quickly—“to the left, and a little ahead.”
“I see—a craft of some kind on the lake.”
“And a flag of distress—why, look! Dave, they’ve put off a raft, and it’s swamped.”
The young pilot lessened the speed of the Ariel. He eased its progress through a sliding drift. This brought them nearer to the craft tossing on the waters below.
“Water-logged and sinking!” exclaimed Hiram excitedly. “Dave, it’s a real peril! See, the ship has no wireless, and their lifeboat is gone. She can’t last long, Dave!”
Dave had turned the head of the Ariel straight back landwards. In a flash his assistant understood.
“Top speed for a rescue steamer, or the life-saving service,” announced Dave. His voice was slightly unsteady, for he realized the sacrifice he was about to make. “There’re women and children aboard that boat.”
“Yes, we’ve got to lose the race!” cried Hiram in disappointed tones.
“Better that than forget our humane duty,” responded the young pilot of the Ariel, but he said it with a sinking heart.