Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/102

 when there was commotion in front of the inn, announcing the arrival of the auto with Smith.

"Can't talk, boy," shouted the pilot, throwing Legs some money to pay for the lunch. "Here, stay here and wait for me. Good-bye, I'm gone. Back in less'n two hours, sure."

Out of the door flashed the birdman, seized the protesting Smith, swore the wind wouldn't hurt a kitten, and dragged him off almost bodily in the direction of the plane. Legs followed, but in the excitement got no attention and very forlornly watched the hurried preparation of the pilot and his speedy departure in the teeth of a good stiff wind sweeping over the Sound.

The hours dragged heavily by, one, two, three, four, still no Hardy. At the end of two hours, in fact, no rational person could be expected to venture anywhere in an airship. The first good, strong whip of the gale was in evidence, and with it came dark and threatening rain clouds. Time and again, Legs hurried down to the shore and gazed over the waters in the direction of Kitty Hawk. Gulls were circling landward with plaintive cries. Every now and then, one of these marine birds, a speck in the far distance,