CHAPTER XIXTHE EAGLE
Witha strong wind at its back, the “Ogden II” rose gracefully in the air. Bob Somers realized that the utmost skill and care would be required, and was satisfied to keep at a comparatively low altitude. Gradually, however, he increased the power, until they were racing along at dizzy speed.
Far ahead the “Border City” appeared as a mere speck, but the aviator felt that if they were not obliged to descend the biplane would overtake the dirigible long before the mountains were reached.
“And by that time Major Carroll may have regained control,” he reflected.
The wind droned and sighed against the planes, while occasionally a stronger gust, striking the machine obliquely, rocked it gently. Then the aillerons, or balancing devices, attached to the main plane began to work automatically, some bending up, othersdown, in this way creating a difference in the air pressure which quickly restored the biplane to an even keel.
Bob Somers at length threw on full power. The pulsating roar of the engine and whirr of propeller blades were sent far off on the wind, carrying fear to the cattle browsing on the prairie below.
As mile after mile slipped behind them, the two boys saw with great satisfaction the cigar-shaped hull no longer appearing as a patch of gray but beginning to show distinctly the effects of light and shade. The chain of mountains, too, which hemmed in the plain was looming up faintly through a dark, murky atmosphere. One lone snow-capped peak shone delicately white.
As Bob sent the biplane nosing its way slightly higher, Cranny Beaumont’s thoughts were busy. So far, the “Border City” had not shown the slightest indication of descending; indeed, the big lad was quite certain that the runaway balloon was rising.
“Suppose we have to follow ’em right over the mountains,” he reflected.
Almost every theory he had ever heardexplained regarding the vagaries or dangers of air currents rushed into his mind with disconcerting clearness. Each gust of wind which struck the planes gave him an unpleasant shock.
“How in the world will Bob Somers ever make a turn in a wind like this?” Cranny looked hard into the aviator’s face, as if to read his thoughts; but all he saw was a determined, set expression.
The jagged mountain crests were now cutting more crisply against the sky. A long line of undulating foot-hills, some forest-covered, others bald ridges, rolled back in ever-increasing height to the mountains beyond. And Cranny knew of many deep gorges, rushing torrents and high precipices which existed amid the wilderness.
Now they were traveling over the sheep country. Flocks of thousands covered the plains. The boys could see them, terrified by the flying machine, scampering wildly about, and forming masses of a grayish white that continually changed their outlines. Some distance off, a watercourse fringed with willows wound its snake-like way over the grass-coveredfloor. Swiftly the biplane approached this gleaming line, passed across and left it far behind.
The “Border City” was steadily growing larger. In a short time the two craft would be racing side by side. And what then?
Bob Somers’ brow was furrowed with anxiety. He heartily wished that there was some means by which he could communicate with Major Carroll.
While these perplexing thoughts were passing through his mind the aviator’s attention was attracted by the sight of a bird flying some distance below.
“An eagle!” murmured Bob.
Although the biplane was shooting ahead at a terrific rate, the great bird easily kept pace with it, occasionally soaring upward, as though its curiosity was aroused by this giant rival of the air.
“I only hope the old chap doesn’t get too inquisitive,” thought Bob. He exchanged glances with Cranny Beaumont. “I’d hate to hurt him.” He smiled grimly, and looked toward his revolver. “But maybe it’s a good thing that Cranny and I brought these along.”
As the eagle began to fly straight toward them, Bob operated the control levers again, and the biplane, responding, rose slightly higher. He kept his eyes fixed intently on the bird, and, in spite of their situation, could not help admiring the ease and grace of its movements. The great wings were beating the air with rhythmical precision.
Higher, still higher, soared the eagle. A harsh, challenging scream rose faintly above the roar of engine and propeller.
“It surely won’t be foolish enough to attack us,” mused Bob.
He again turned his eyes toward the “Border City.” The air-ship, silhouetted against the dark, lowering sky, presented an impressive spectacle. It was now not far distant, and the details were coming into view.
Meanwhile the king of the air was keeping up the race. But Bob had too much to think about, for the moment, to even glance toward it.
A strong cross-current of wind suddenly wobbled the planes, causing the aillerons to flop anew. The broad prairie had been left behind; they were flying over a chain of ruggedfoot-hills. The aviator could see, far below, deep gorges, masses of reddish rock, and green forests passing by in kaleidoscopic fashion.
The mountain ahead, forming a stern and forbidding-looking barrier, rose high above them; and it was now apparent that the snow-capped peak, which glistened strangely white in the darkening atmosphere, reared itself immediately beyond.
“Ah ha!” muttered Bob. “Major Carroll is throwing out ballast.”
Quantities of sand, as bags were emptied, could be seen falling—curious misty patches of a lightish color that streaked downward in showers, to speedily spread out and fade from view.
As patch after patch appeared, and melted away, the “Border City” rose perceptibly. The aeronauts had evidently decided to cross the mountains.
“If Major Carroll can’t rise high enough to clear those summits, they’ll be in awful danger.” Bob Somers spoke his thoughts aloud. “Crickets!” His face paled slightly under its coat of tan. “I guess this is adventure enough for even Cranny Beaumont.”
The latter’s eyes were sparkling with excitement; his gaze constantly shifted from the “Border City” to the eagle below, then toward the mountain peaks, which every instant seemed to present a more threatening aspect.
The proportions of the runaway dirigible were looming up in all their hugeness; but a few minutes more, at the present rate of speed, and the “Ogden II” would be shooting past.
The brief interval of time passed, the roar of the engine lessened, and the biplane drew abreast of its monster rival.
The boys were too eager, now, to pay any further attention to the feathered form flying below. Strange thrills coursed through them, as they looked at the air-ship and its occupants scarcely a hundred feet away. Willie Sloan was waving his hands vigorously.
The coverings of the car had been rolled up in places, exposing to view a part of the interior. A network of wire ropes and steel tubing glimmered dully, while the planes fore and aft and the great rudder at the rear showed ghostly white.
Bob Somers steered the “Ogden II” still closer to the runaway, shutting off as muchpower as he dared. Strong cross-currents of wind began to make themselves felt, blustering between the planes, sometimes tipping them slightly, or causing peculiar, ominous vibrations to send chills down their backs.
“Hello the ‘Ogden II’!” came a hail, which the boys were scarcely able to hear above the roar of the engine.
Major Warfield Carroll was calling through a megaphone.
“Hello, hello!” yelled the boys, in unison.
“Our engine can’t be made to work. Many thanks for your kindness and bravery, boys; but I insist upon your making a landing at once.”
His words were barely distinguishable.
Bob shook his head.
“But I insist again that you do nothing of the sort!” shouted the Major, with all his force. “We’ll be able to rise high enough to clear the mountains, and are in no danger. Don’t you know that in a short time you will find yourselves in the midst of most dangerous air currents?”
“Couldn’t think of giving up the chase!” cried Cranny.
The “Ogden II” was beginning to glide downward. The engine, put under additional power, drowned the next words which Major Carroll flung toward them. But there was a strange tone to his voice which made the boys look at each other in surprise.
The explanation came an instant later.
The eagle, momentarily forgotten, shot into view so close beneath that its glittering eyes and cruel-looking beak could be clearly seen. Its magnificent, spreading wings were flapping furiously.
Almost breathless, the two watched the bird soaring still nearer. At intervals, it emitted a scream that sounded above the incessant din of the engine.
“Great Scott!” Bob gave a long breath; his nerves tingled with excitement. “It looks as though we’re in for a scrap.”