"And now for the repairs," cried Dick, after breakfast, as he and his chums got out the collapsible boat. It was blown up, and in it Dick and Mr. Vardon paddled out to the stern rudders. They were examining the universal joint, by which the apparatus was deflected when Dick suddenly became aware of a wet feeling about his feet, and a sinking feeling beneath him. He looked down, and found that the boat, in which he and Mr. Vardon were standing, was going down. Already it was half filled with water. "More trouble!" cried Dick. "I guess we'll have to swim for it!" CHAPTER XXVII A HOWLING GALE There was no doubt about it. The little craft was going down. Later it was learned that a leaky valve had allowed the air to escape, and a break in the boat's rubber sides had let in the water. "Come on!" cried Dick. "Overboard, Mr. Vardon!" There was really little danger, as both of them could swim, though if they did not jump out they might be carried down with the boat. So, overboard went Dick and his aviator. The collapsible boat sank with the downward impulse given it when they leaped out, but as it was moored to the airship by a cable it could be recovered. "Say, what is this--a swimming race?" asked Paul, as he tossed Dick a rope, a like service being performed for Mr. Vardon by Innis. "Looks like it--doesn't it?" agreed the young millionaire. "I should have tested that boat before we went out in it," he added, as he clambered up, Grit frisking and barking about him in delight. "Yes, that's where we made the mistake," agreed Mr. Vardon. "That rubber must have been cut as it was packed away. Well, we can easily mend it, so no great harm is done." By means of the cable, the sunken boat was pulled to the airship, and when the water was allowed to run out it was hauled aboard. Then it was examined, the leak found, and the craft was placed out in the sun to dry, after which it could be mended. "Well, we can't do anything but wait," said Dick, after he had changed into dry garments. "The break is out on that part of the rudder that's over the water. We can't reach it without the boat." "Then, while we're waiting let's have a swim," proposed Paul. "It will do us all good." "And then we can do some fishing," added Innis. "I'd like some nice broiled fish. Did you bring any tackle along, Dick?" "No, I'm sorry to say I didn't." "Then I'll have to rig up some. I'll use some cold canned chicken for bait." "What about a hook?" asked Lieutenant McBride, with a smile. "Well, anybody who can build an airship ought to be able to make a fish hook. I'm going to call on Dick for that," went on Innis. "I guess I can file you out one from a bit of steel wire," answered the young millionaire.