"There won't be any danger--it will work, I'm sure of it," said Mr.
Vardon, confidently.
The gyroscope which was depended on to keep the airship on a level
keel at all times, or at least to bring her back to it if she were
thrown to a dangerous angle, had been set in motion as soon as the
start was made. The big lead wheel, with the bearings of
antifriction metal, was spinning around swiftly and noiselessly.
Once it had been started, a small impulse from a miniature
electrical motor kept it going.
"Now," said Mr. Vardon, issuing his orders, "when I give the word
I want you all suddenly to come from that side of the cabin to this
side. At the same time, Dick, you will be at the steering wheel,
and I want you to throw her head around as if you were making a
quick turn for a spiral descent. That ought to throw her nearly on
her beams' end, and we'll see how the gyroscope works. That will
be a good test. I'll stand by to correct any fault in the
gyroscope."
They were all a little apprehensive as they ranged themselves in
line near one wall of the cabin. The airship tilted slightly as
all the weight came on one side, just as a big excursion steamer
lists to starboard or port when the crowd suddenly rushes all to one
rail. But, on a steamer, deck hand are kept in readiness, with
barrels of water, and these they roll to the opposite rail of the
boat, thus preserving the balance.
Mr. Vardon depended on the gyroscope to perform a like service for
the airship, and to do it automatically.
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