“Nothing.  It will sink presently.  We have secured all our valuable instruments and records.  I’m only too happy over escaping from a watery grave.  Simms and myself were making up our minds that our time had come when you hove in sight.”

“We are heading for Cedar Keys, but in no hurry to get there, professor.  What would you like us to do for you?” asked Frank presently, after they had given both men blankets to throw about their shoulders, for the air was “nippy.”

“There is smoke on the horizon, to the west I believe it must be a steamer bound for Tampa.  Do you think it would be possible to intercept her and put us aboard?” asked the scientist eagerly.

Frank took a look at the weather.

“We’ll make a try, anyhow.  But to do so we must head straight out, for she will go miles to the south of us,” he said.

They sped on for an hour.  The land was dim in the distance.  It thrilled them to know they were like a speck out in the midst of the great Gulf of Mexico.  By now the coast steamer was in plain view, and signals were made for her to stop.

When the captain learned who the two men were, and that he could further the work of the government, he gladly took them aboard; and the last the boys saw of the aeronauts was their waving hats as the steamer went on her way.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE “NORTHER”

“Is it back to the shore now, Frank?”

“If we are wise we’ll lose no time in heading that way,” was the quick response.

“What’s the matter?  Is there anything wrong?” demanded Jerry, taking the alarm immediately from his chum’s manner.

“I think we are in for another little experience.  If you notice, there are clouds along the horizon.  I imagine our long-delayed norther is about to swoop down on us before long.”

“Talk to me about the tough luck of that, will you!  Of all times, that it should pick out this to tackle us!” exclaimed Jerry.

He had seen the dark clouds Frank mentioned, and noted that the wind was no longer in the east, but had swung around to the southwest almost magically.

Of course, they were making as fast time as the motor-boat could boast toward the dim shore line.  How very far away it seemed to be!  Will turned a little white as he contemplated the coming storm catching the small boat out upon the broad bosom of the great gulf.

In doing an errand of mercy they had unconsciously put their heads in the lion’s mouth.

Those were very anxious minutes for the chums.  Each throb of the motor was taking them closer to the land, but the clouds were rising, and the wind increasing, all too fast to please Frank.

When they were about two miles off shore he commenced to scan the scene before them with renewed eagerness.  Much depended upon whether they would have the good luck to strike in at a place where shelter might be found against the fury of the storm when the waves assumed giant proportions.