COALS OF FIRE
Tom Swift saw the craft almost as soon as did his chum.It was rather a large-sized motor boat, quite some distance out from shore, and there was no other craft near it at this time.From the quick, first view Tom and Ned had of it, they decided that a party of excursionists were on a pleasure trip.
But that an accident had happened, and that trouble, if not, indeed, danger, was imminent, was at once apparent to the young inventor and the other occupant of the swiftly moving airship.
For as Tom shut off his motor, to volplane down, thus reducing all noise on his craft, they could dimly hear the shouts and calls for help, coming from the water craft below them.
"Help! Help!" came the impassioned appeals, floating up to Tom and Ned.
"We're coming!" Tom answered, though it is doubtful if his voice was heard.Sound does not seem to carry downward as well as upward, and though Tom's craft was making scarcely any noise, save that caused by the rush of wind through the struts and wires, there was so much confusion on the motor boat, to say nothing of the engine which was going, that Tom's encouraging call must have been unheard.
"What are you going to do, Tom?" asked Ned, "You can't land on the water!""I know it; worse luck! If I only had the hydroplane, now, we could make a thrilling rescue--land right beside the other boat and take 'em all off.But, as it is, I'll have to land as near as I can and then we will look for a boat to go out to them in."Ned saw, now, what Tom's object was.On one shore of the lake was a large, level field, suitable for a landing place for the craft of the air.At least it looked to be a suitable place, but Tom would be obliged to take a chance on that.This field sloped down to the beach of the lake, and as Ned and his chum came nearer to earth they could see several boats on shore,though no persons were near them.Had there been, probably they would have gone to the rescue.
Tom cast a rapid look across the sheet of water, to make sure his services were really needed.The motor boat was lower in the lake now, and was, undoubtedly, sinking.And no other craft was near enough to render help.Though distant whistles, seeming to come from approaching craft, told of help on the way.
"Hold fast, Ned!" cried Tom, as they neared the earth."We may bump!"But Tom Swift was too skillful a pilot to cause his craft to sustain much of a crash.He made an almost perfect "three point landing," and there would have been no unusual shaking, except for the fact that the field was a bit bumpy, and the craft more heavily laden than usual.
"Good work, Tom!" cried Ned, as the Lucifer slackened her speed, the young inventor having sent her around in a half circle so that she now faced the lake.Then Tom and Ned climbed from the cockpit, throwing off goggles and helmets as they ran to the shore where there were several rowboats moored.
"And a little old-fashioned naphtha launch! By all that's lucky!" cried Tom."I didn't think they made these any more.If she only works now!"There was a little dock at this point on the lake, and the boats appeared to be held at it for hire.But no one was in charge, and Tom and Ned made free with what they found.They considered they had this right in the emergency.
The naphtha launch was chained and padlocked to the dock, but using an oar Tom burst the chain.
"Get one of the rowboats and fasten it to the back of the launch!" Tom directed Ned."I don't believe this craft will hold them all," and he nodded toward those aboard the sinking boat -- for it was only too plainly sinking now.
"All right!" voiced Ned."I'm with you.Can you get that engine to work?""She's humming now," announced Tom, as he turned on the naphtha, and threw in a blazing match to ignite it, this act saving his hand.Naphthaengines are a trifle treacherous.
A few moments later, though not as quickly as a gasoline craft could have been gotten under way, Tom was steering the small launch out and away from the dock, and toward the craft whence came the faint calls for help.Behind them Tom and Ned towed a large rowboat.
Tom speeded the naphtha craft to its limit, and, fortunately for those in danger, it was a fast boat.In less time than they had thought possible, the young inventor and his chum were near the boat that was now low in the water--so low, in fact, that her rail was all but awash.
"Oh, take us out! Save us!" screamed some of the girls.
"Take it easy now," advised Tom, approaching with care."We've got room for you all.Ned, get back in the rowboat and bring that alongside-- on the other side.We'll take you all in," he added.
"Girls first!" called Ned sternly, as he saw one young fellow about to scramble into the naphtha boat.
