The Abaris was certainly going down. When the propellers had ceased
to urge her forward she began to dip toward the earth, even as a
stone falls when the initial impulse from the sling, or the hand of
the thrower, is lost.
Foot by foot she dropped, and those aboard her looked helplessly at
one another. They had made a brave fight against the fire, but it
seemed to have gone for naught. They could not keep up with the
motor stalled as it was.
"I guess we'll have to make another landing," said Innis, as he
remained at the wheel.
Of course they were entitled to one more, but it would be the last,
and a long and hard part of their trans-continental flight was still
ahead of them. If they went down this time, and, after making
repairs, came up into the air once more, they would not, under the
rules, be allowed to land again before reaching San Francisco.
"It's tough luck, but I guess we'll have to do it," said Larry
Dexter.
"Maybe not!" Dick cried. "I have an idea."
"What is it? Tell us quick!" begged Innis, for he, as well as all
of Dick's friends, wanted to see him win the prize.
"I think the insulation has been burning off some of the wires of
the motor," was his answer. "That would make a short circuit and
put it out of business. Now if we can only keep afloat long enough
to change those wires, we may be able to start the motor again, and
keep on our way before we touch ground."
"You've struck it!" cried Mr.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221