“Maybe the water is low in the radiator,” suggested Hartman. “Let’s take a look. Yes, that’s it,” he went on a moment later. “It needs filling.”
As Ned walked on, satisfied that it was only a minor trouble, easily remedied, he heard Brinkley say to his companion:
“It’s queer how the water got low. I filled that radiator only a little while before the chief so nearly got shot. I don’t see how it could leak out.”
“Maybe it doesn’t leak,” said Hartman. “There may be faster evaporation than usual.”
Ned thought no more about it until an hour later when, as night was coming on, there came a sudden slowing of the motors and the craft began losing speed.
“What’s the matter?” called Tom, who was on his way to the control cabin. “Why are you slowing down, Peltok?”
“Something’s wrong!” was the answer. “One of the motors is overheating. There seems to be a leak in the water radiator. We’ll have to go down to overhaul it.”
“Too bad,” murmured Tom. “I thought we could gain a little on this leg. But it can’t be helped.”
In the gathering darkness an open spot amid the forests was picked out where the Air Monarch could safely land and rise again after repairs were made.
As the aircraft came gently down to the ground, several scores of evil-looking men, dressed in gay but fantastic clothes and bearing long guns, rushed out from the surrounding trees.