"
But they were congratulating themselves too soon, it seemed. For,
hardly had Dick spoken than the monotonous whine of the powerful
machine seemed to weaken in tone. It died out--the high note sunk
to a low one, and gradually went out.
"What's up now?" asked Paul, peering over Dick's shoulder. The
motor compartment was still too hot to enter with safety, and it
was also filled with acrid vapor, from the extinguishers.
"I--I'm afraid it's going to stop," gasped Dick, for he was out of
breath from his exertions, and from the excitement of the occasion.
"Stop!" cried Paul. "If she does we'll have to go down!"
And stop the motor did. There was a sort of final groan or gasp,
as if of apology, and then the wheels stopped revolving and the big
propellers outside the cabin, which had been forcing the craft
onward, gradually ceased their motion.
"Quick?" shouted Mr. Vardon. "Throw on the self-starter, Dick! We
may catch her before she loses all her momentum!"
"All right!" answered Dick. He made one jump to the switch that
put into commission the electrical starter. But he was too late to
"catch" the motor. It had died down, and, though the young
millionaire made contact after contact with the copper knife-switch,
there was no response.
"We're falling!" cried Innis, from the pilot-house, as he noted the
height gage, and saw that the hand was constantly receding. "We're
falling, Dick!"
"I know it--no help for it," answered our hero, hopelessly.
Pages:
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220