CHAPTER XIX

A CHANGE OF PLANS BY WIRELESS

Fogo Island, bleak, uninhabited and wave drenched, is now known for nothing except that it is the only island cut by the great circle or shortest course between New York and London. In time it will be known as the intermediate land station on the aerial route between these two great cities. It lies in 50° west longitude and 50° 40´ north latitude.

At one minute of two o’clock on the morning of June 22, by the altered watches, and eight o’clock and fifty-nine minutes by the unaltered chronometer, theOcean Flyercleared this vague, rocky point and headed S. 79-1/2° E. at an elevation of 2,500 feet. For 146 miles the airship was to hold this course. It seemed strange to Buck to see the compass showing a course east by south which, in his judgment, presaged a landing in France.

“If it wasn’t for the magnetic variation,” explained Alan, “we would sail north, sixty-seven degrees east. But the magnetic variation in thisplace is thirty-three and one-half degrees. We’ve got to subtract this variation. As there are only ninety degrees in a quadrant this sixty-seven degrees north of east changes to seventy-nine and one-half degrees south of east. Or, by compass points, east by south. The first is the true course. The last is our magnetic course.”

“And the rest of our journey,” added Ned, “is made up of eleven straight flights across the Atlantic.”

He showed Buck the pilot chart on which these lines were indicated with the altered courses for each and the tabulation for the pilot’s use. These were now spread out on the operator’s table ready for the night’s long vigil. The tabulated matter was a maze of figures in this form:

Fogo Island to London—Rhumb Line Course:

MILES:

146 to 50° W. and 50° 40´ N.; True course N. 67 E.Variation 33-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 79-1/2E. or E. by S. Time 8.59 P. M.199.6 to 45° W. and 51° 45´ N.; True course N. 71 E.Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 74 E., orE. S. E. 1/2 E. Time—.206.7 to 40° W. and 52° 35´ N.; True course N. 76 E.Variation 35-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 68-1/2 E.or E. S. E. 1/8 E. Time—.177.8 to 35° W. and 53° 15´ N.; True course N. 77 E.Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 68 E. or E. S. E. Time—.169 to 30° W. and 53° 40´ N.; True course N. 81-1/2 E.Variation 34° W.; Magnetic course S. 64-1/4 E.or S. E. by E. 3/4 E. Time—.191 to 25° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course, N. 87 E.Variation 31-1/2°; Magnetic course S. 61-1/2 E.or S. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.180 to 20° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course E.Variation 28° E.; Magnetic course S. 62 E. orS. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.215 to 15° W. and 53° 35´ N.; True course S. 85 E.Variation 25-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 59-1/2°E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.180 to 10° W. and 53° 10´ N.; True course S. 81-1/2 E.Variation 22-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 50°E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.192 to 5° W. and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 78 E.Variation 19-1/2° W.; Magnetic course 58-1/2° E.or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.201 to 0° W. (London) and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 72 E.Variation 16-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 55-1/2°E. or S. E. 7/8 E. Time—.2,058.1 Miles Fogo Island to London.1,160. Miles New York to Fogo Island.3,218.1 Miles New York to London.

146 to 50° W. and 50° 40´ N.; True course N. 67 E.Variation 33-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 79-1/2E. or E. by S. Time 8.59 P. M.

146 to 50° W. and 50° 40´ N.; True course N. 67 E.

Variation 33-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 79-1/2

E. or E. by S. Time 8.59 P. M.

199.6 to 45° W. and 51° 45´ N.; True course N. 71 E.Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 74 E., orE. S. E. 1/2 E. Time—.

199.6 to 45° W. and 51° 45´ N.; True course N. 71 E.

Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 74 E., or

E. S. E. 1/2 E. Time—.

206.7 to 40° W. and 52° 35´ N.; True course N. 76 E.Variation 35-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 68-1/2 E.or E. S. E. 1/8 E. Time—.

206.7 to 40° W. and 52° 35´ N.; True course N. 76 E.

Variation 35-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 68-1/2 E.

or E. S. E. 1/8 E. Time—.

177.8 to 35° W. and 53° 15´ N.; True course N. 77 E.Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 68 E. or E. S. E. Time—.

177.8 to 35° W. and 53° 15´ N.; True course N. 77 E.

Variation 35° W.; Magnetic course S. 68 E. or E. S. E. Time—.

169 to 30° W. and 53° 40´ N.; True course N. 81-1/2 E.Variation 34° W.; Magnetic course S. 64-1/4 E.or S. E. by E. 3/4 E. Time—.

169 to 30° W. and 53° 40´ N.; True course N. 81-1/2 E.

Variation 34° W.; Magnetic course S. 64-1/4 E.

or S. E. by E. 3/4 E. Time—.

191 to 25° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course, N. 87 E.Variation 31-1/2°; Magnetic course S. 61-1/2 E.or S. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.

191 to 25° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course, N. 87 E.

Variation 31-1/2°; Magnetic course S. 61-1/2 E.

or S. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.

180 to 20° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course E.Variation 28° E.; Magnetic course S. 62 E. orS. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.

180 to 20° W. and 53° 50´ N.; True course E.

Variation 28° E.; Magnetic course S. 62 E. or

S. E. by E. 1/2 E. Time—.

215 to 15° W. and 53° 35´ N.; True course S. 85 E.Variation 25-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 59-1/2°E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

215 to 15° W. and 53° 35´ N.; True course S. 85 E.

Variation 25-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 59-1/2°

E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

180 to 10° W. and 53° 10´ N.; True course S. 81-1/2 E.Variation 22-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 50°E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

180 to 10° W. and 53° 10´ N.; True course S. 81-1/2 E.

Variation 22-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 50°

E. or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

192 to 5° W. and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 78 E.Variation 19-1/2° W.; Magnetic course 58-1/2° E.or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

192 to 5° W. and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 78 E.

Variation 19-1/2° W.; Magnetic course 58-1/2° E.

or S. E. by E. 1/4 E. Time—.

201 to 0° W. (London) and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 72 E.Variation 16-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 55-1/2°E. or S. E. 7/8 E. Time—.

201 to 0° W. (London) and 52° 30´ N.; True course S. 72 E.

Variation 16-1/2° W.; Magnetic course S. 55-1/2°

E. or S. E. 7/8 E. Time—.

2,058.1 Miles Fogo Island to London.

1,160. Miles New York to Fogo Island.

3,218.1 Miles New York to London.

“Not for me,” sighed Buck. “And that’s what you thought I could do? Not in a thousand years. Take it away.”

“Here’s a little one that is easier,” went on Alan pointing to a smaller card while the other boys laughed.

“Looks better than the alphabet and funny marks and figures,” conceded Buck. “What’s that?”

“This is another land chart,” explained Alan. “It tells us where we ought to strike Ireland—sort o’ postscript to the other chart. With it and your knowledge of London’s vicinity we ought to be able to shut up the compass later. Look at it! It won’t bite.”

This smaller table was:

“Find Oxford,” was Buck’s only comment, “and I’ll show you the way from that town. If that’s all for the present I’ll go below and wash the dishes.”

TheFlyerbeing now well on her new course there was a conference and a program was made of the night watches. These were divided into three-hour tricks beginning at ten o’clock (“or three o’clock, which ever you like,” suggested Ned laughing). Bob had already instructed Buck as to the things to look out for in the engine—that the gasoline and ether supplies were free and working, that the lubricating cups were full ofoil and, most essential, that the bearings were not hot. The two reporters were to alternate in the engine room, Buck going on at ten o’clock and giving Bob an extra hour on the first trick which would give the latter four hours straight sleep.

“Here are notes on the best time we can make to each change of course,” suggested Roy. “If some one will call me before the altering time I’ll get enough sleep between legs. The pilot can watch his own barometer and I’ll note everything about once an hour.”

This was agreed upon, Ned insisting on giving Roy three hours undisturbed sleep between one and four o’clock, when Alan relieved him. Ned and Alan were to manage the wheel, generally taking three hours on and three off. This arrangement being agreeable to all Roy took the wheel while the captain and Alan made a complete survey of the airship. Each detail of the engines was scrutinized and further explanations made to Buck. Then, drawing on sweaters, for the sea air was cold and damp, the Airship Boys examined each plane and its supports and finally oiled the rudder bearings and refilled the propeller lubricators.

They returned to the engine room and the acetylene gas was turned on and with only a low, shaded light over the engine gauges, Roy’s desk and the binnacle, the dynamo was shut down. Ventilators were opened and all ports and doors closed. Everything shipshape, Bob was persuaded to turn in. This he did in stateroom number two. Roy kept at the desk until the end of the first sea leg was reached, took the readings, gave the new course and then entered the new time figures—“forty-seven minutes and thirty-six seconds after nine o’clock.” Then he settled himself for his first doze while the aeroplane reeled off its next leg, 199.6 miles.

“It’s ten o’clock,” said Ned to Alan, “and your bed’s ready. Tumble in.”

But Alan, although he surrendered the wheel, only moved to the lookout and peered into the night in silence. The sea was so far below as to be out of view. The sky was clear with stars showing. With nothing outside to distract the eye the rush of theFlyer’sown body through the air made it seem as if a spectral tornado were trying to hold the airship back. And the roar of it seemed to increase when the last glow of day blotted out the sea.

“I’ve been thinkin’,” Alan said at last, “that we made a mistake. We’re goin’ to have trouble in London. We’ll be able to deliver the matrices but it’s going to be another story to take on our passengers and get away again. The police are always too curious.”

“Don’t forget that theHerald’sback of us,” answered Ned, his eyes on the compass, for there was now no need to keep a lookout ahead. “I’m countin’ on their men to arrange that; to get a permit for us.”

“And if they don’t?” went on Alan skeptically.

Ned shrugged his shoulders.

“And, worst of all,” went on Alan. “As I understand it, Hyde Park is pretty exclusive with its Serpentine and Rotten Row. How are we going to be sure our gasoline and ether and lubricator oil supply wagon or dray will be allowed in the park?”

“That’s a thing I’ve been leavin’ to theHeraldagents,” answered Ned slowly, “although I rather wish we hadn’t.”

“That’s it,” exclaimed Alan. “Maybe it ain’t too late to take charge ourselves.”

“Wireless?” asked Ned, turning to Alan in surprise.

“If we only had to deliver the matrices in the park,” went on Alan nodding his head, “we could do that with a slow down. Then we could be off and give the ‘bobbies’ the laugh.”

“But our passengers and the supplies?” urged Ned.

“We ain’t goin’ to get to London before half past one,” resumed Alan taking a position in front of Ned and laying a pocket map of London and its suburbs on the binnacle where the light fell on it. “Those picture makers will be through their work when the royal procession has reached Westminster and the exercises begin or as soon as they’ve had a few shots inside the building—if they expect to do that. Any way, they ought to be free before half past twelve if they cut out the return parade. Bob says the men doin’ the coronation can leave any time after they’ve had a look at the crowd. They know the program to the last word. And the supplies will be ready at any time.”

“Well,” commented Ned. “I think I get you. But, go on!”

“These men and our supplies ought to be out in the western suburbs of London—far out. Then we’d throw out the matrices, get away before any one could stop us and make a landing where our passengers are waiting for us. They ought to be able to sneak out twenty or twenty-five miles in a good motor and the supplies could be sent early in the day.”

“Then we could stop in peace and safety,” broke in Ned enthusiastically, “long enough to overhaul everything and start again in good shape. Were you figurin’ on the wireless?”

“Yes,” answered Alan. “If we could pick up a liner either on this side or close in on the other it could forward the message. I don’t think our outfit is strong enough to do much more—”

“Why not try a Labrador station?” interrupted Ned with enthusiasm. “We can’t be more than three hundred miles from a Marconi office there. I know there’s a telegraph line to Chateau Bay. Surely there’s a station just behind us at Heart’s Content where the cables end in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. And that’s not over three hundred miles either.”

“Bob ought to be good for three or four hundred miles,” suggested Alan, his eyes sparkling. “Shall we?”

“What’s the outfit for?” retorted Ned. “We can’t lose. If we don’t raise any one we’re no worse off. Rouse him out!”

When the soundly snoring Bob was pulled from his bed and at last made to understand the sudden plan, sleep fled from him. In five minutes the dynamo was in operation and Bob was at the little desk in the store room. As the lightninglikeblue and green flashes in the condenser sounded through the airship, Bob, with his ear-set in place, bent low over the tuner. Before him, just showing in the small circle of his one shaded light bulb, lay his code and signal books for all systems on the far northern American coasts and the calls for all northern route steamers.

“I’ll raise something,” he shouted with eagerness. “Get your message ready.”

Buck had already been summoned from the engine room. With the first bark of the condenser Roy was awake. Only Ned stood to his post while Alan, Roy and Buck got out the detail maps of England, London and vicinity.

“Now,” almost shouted Alan to Buck, “get busy.” And he explained the situation. “These places all look alike to us. You know London and the country around it. We want the least settled place nearest to Fleet street that can be reached quickly by motor. Some open, smooth spot where the police are asleep. Some place that theHeraldmen will know without description. You’re the English pilot, as well as cook and rudder greaser. Now show us what you can do.”

“‘Acton,’” exclaimed Buck before he looked at the map. “We’ll pass it goin’ in. And it isn’t over five or six miles from Fleet street. It’s quietas the grave. There’s even a cemetery near by. There are open fields with walks. Why,” and he reached for the map, “there’s some old ruins, a ‘moat’ they call ’em, about a quarter of a mile from the railway station. That’s a good meetin’ place. Let’s see,” and he ran his pencil over the big red, blue and green chart. “It’s on the Great Western Railway,” and he pointed to a square green spot, “at the north end of Horn Lane, and there’s a fine road right out to it, from Horn Lane into High Street; then east to Acton Vale and then Uxbridge Road. You know they give a new name to a London Street every few yards,” he explained laughing. “Then Notting Hill and Bayswater Road bring you right to Hyde Park. The place was made for just such a trick.”

“That’s good,” chuckled Alan. “Now for the message. If we can get this to theHeraldto-night, it’ll go to London by cable at once.”

“How’ll you know?” asked Buck.

“Don’t need to,” announced Ned from the wheel. “But you might put in that we’ll be within two hundred miles of Ireland, off Galway, at ten thirty in the morning. They might get us an answer there.”

“Get your message ready,” yelled a voice below.

“Heard any thing yet?” shouted three boys springing to the ladder opening.

“Not yet,” replied Bob, “but when I do I want to break right in while I got ’em.”

For some minutes Alan scratched away at Roy’s table. Then he submitted the following:

“Herald, New York. Wire reporters photographers be at Acton suburb old moat one thirty London time with all supplies. Have motor for forms northeast corner Hyde Park from twelve thirty. Men carry white handkerchiefs. No stop park.”

When he had read this Ned laughed.

“Can’t you imagine theHeraldwill be just a bit curious as to whether we are in the air or the sea?”

Alan added:

“All well. On time. Left Fogo eight fifty-nine. This forwarded at —— o’clock (‘that’s for Bob to fill in if he ever gets it off,’ Alan explained). At ten thirty P. M., about 240 miles off N. F. Napier, Ocean Flyer.”

“Cut out the ‘Napier,’” ordered Ned, “and I think it’ll do.”

Alan did so but when he handed the message to Bob he instructed him to reinsert the name.

“And now,” he added to the wireless operator, “do your best. Meanwhile, as I can’t help you I’ll turn in.”

Despite the “bark, bark” and “snap, snap” of Bob’s condenser Alan and Roy were soon fast asleep. Later, the increasing cold awoke Alan. Dazed for a moment he at last got his bearings. He thought first of Bob and the wireless. Then he realized that there was no sound from the condenser. Springing up he hurried into the pilot room. There was no light over the operator’s table but in the gloom he made out the sleeping figure of Roy, his head on his arms. At the wheel, silent and rigid, stood Ned.

“What’s the hour?” asked Alan sleepily.

“Nearly two o’clock,” came the answer in a low voice. “Don’t wake up Roy.”

“Where are we!”

“On the fifth leg, nearly eight hundred miles out.”

“And the wireless?” whispered Alan. “Where’s Bob?”

“Asleep. He got Heart’s Content just after twelve. Put her through.”

“Great,” exclaimed Alan. “Let me take the wheel. I’m an hour late.”

“Stand by for a new course,” was Ned’s only answer in a low voice.

“Aye, aye, sir,” sounded instantly from the operator’s table and as the light flashed, Roy was on duty again.

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