The aviator waited a few moments before giving the order to make the
sudden rush. Already the apparatus to which was contrasted
Lieutenant Larson's mercury tubes, had acted, and the Abaris, which
had dipped, when all the passengers collected on one side, had now
resumed her level keel again, showing that the gyroscope had worked
so far at any rate.
"Now we'll give her a trial," called Mr. Vardon. "All ready, come
over on the run, and throw her around, Dick!"
On the run they came, and Dick whirled the steering wheel around to
the left, to cause the Abaris to swerve suddenly.
And swerve she did. With a sickening motion she turned as a vessel
rolls in a heavy sea, and, at the same moment there was a dip toward
the earth. The motor which had been humming at high speed went dead
on the instant, and Dick Hamilton's airship plunged downward.
CHAPTER XVI
DICK IS WARNED
"What's the matter?"
"What happened?"
"We're falling!"
"Somebody do something!"
Everyone seemed talking at once, calling out in fear, and looking
wildly about for some escape from what seemed about to be a fatal
accident. For the Abaris was over half a mile high and was shooting
toward the earth at a terrific rate.
"Wait! Quiet, everybody!" called Dick, who had not deserted his
post at the steering wheel. "I'll bring her up. We'll volplane
down! It'll be all right!"
His calmness made his chums feel more secure, and a glance at Mr.
Vardon and his machinist aided in this.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123