Instantly Hiram leaped from the machine, Elmer following him. The woman had waded to a rocky reef coming up out of the water. There she had sunk, throwing her apron over her head and clasping her babe close to her breast.
She had not seen the airship. In fact, it was all the boys could do to keep their eyes clear from smoke and cinders. Hiram ran straight out into the water.
“Get up, lady, quick,” he cried, touching her arm. “We have come to get you out of here.”
The woman shrieked in alarm, but dropped the covering from her face. Her brain was reeling, it seemed, and her senses were benumbed by all the strange happenings about her.
“Help me, Elmer,” directed Hiram, and together they drew her out of the water and led her up to the biplane. She stared at it blankly.
“I—I don’t understand,” she said, and swayed in a lost manner, as if she was about to swoon.
“Get her in, quick!” ordered Dave, with a glance ahead of them as a rain of sparks flew over and past the machine.
The woman was now almost passive in the hands of her helpers. They got her into the seat Elmer usually occupied, while he climbed over into the space to its rear. Hiram got aboard. Then the Comet shot up into the air.
The woman turned pale and shrank back. She clung to her little child and stared wildly about her.
“Don’t be afraid, lady,” spoke Hiram, soothingly. “It’s all right. There is no one else around here; is there?”