CHAPTER III
WASHINGTON DECIDES
"We must catch that cylinder!" the professor exclaimed. "Some one mayfind it when it comes down and analyze the gas. Then he would discoverhow to make it. The cylinder must come down!"
"Don't see how we can proximate ourselves inter th' vicinity of itlessen we delegate th' imperial functions of ornithological specimens t'some member of this here party," observed Washington.
"If you mean we can't catch that there contraption unless we turn intobirds I'll show you that you're mistaken!" cried Andy Sudds. "I guess Ihave a trick or two up my sleeve," and the old hunter quickly threw openthe breech of his gun and inserted a couple of cartridges.
He raised the piece to his shoulder and took quick aim. There was asliver of flame, a puff of smoke and a sharp report. The professor andthe boys who were watching the cylinder saw it vibrate up in the air.Then there came a whistling sound. An instant later the metal body beganto descend, and it and the weight fell to the earth.
"I'm sorry I had to put a bullet through it, Professor," said old Andywith a queer smile, "but it was the only way I saw of bringing it down.Hope it isn't damaged much."
"It doesn't matter if it is," the scientist answered. "I can make morecylinders, but I don't want that secret of the gas to become known. Yourbullet served a good turn, Andy, for it let the compressed vapor outjust in time."
"Then we may consider the experiment a success," said Mark, asWashington went to where the cylinder had fallen, to detach it from theweight and bring both to the shed.
"It seems so," Mr. Henderson answered. "True, it was only an experiment.We have yet to test the ship itself."
"When can we do that?" asked Jack.
"I hope by Monday," the scientist answered.
"Will you try it in the water or air first?" asked Mark.
"I'm almost certain it will float in the water," the aged inventor said."It does not require much work to make a ship which will do that. Butthe air proposition is another matter. However, since the cylinder rose,I am pretty sure the _Flying Mermaid_ will.
"But we have done enough work to-day. Let's rest and have something toeat. Then, with Sunday to sit around and talk matters over, we will beready for Monday's test."
Some of the game Andy had killed was soon on the table, for Washington,in addition to his other accomplishments, was an expert cook. During theevening the boys and their friends sat in the living room of the bigshed and talked over the events of the day.
Sunday was spent in discussing what adventures might lie before themshould they be able to descend into the big hole. Washington did not saymuch, but it was easy to see he had no notion of going. He even began topack his few belongings in readiness to leave the service of Mr.Henderson, for whom he had worked a good many years.
No one remained long abed Monday morning. Even Washington was up earlyin spite of the interest he had lost in the professor's voyage.
"I jest wants t' see yo' start fer that place where they buries livefolks," he said.
In order to properly test the _Flying Mermaid_ it was necessary to movethe craft from the shed from which place it had never been taken sinceit's construction was started. It had been built on big rollers inanticipation of this need, so that all which was now necessary was toopen the doors at the end, and roll the craft out.
This was accomplished with no small amount of labor, and it was nearlynoon before the big ship was moved into the open. It was shoved along toa little clearing in front of the shed, where no trees would interferewith its possible upward movement.
Everyone was bustling about. The professor was busiest of all. He wentfrom one machine to another; from this apparatus to that, testing here,turning wheels there, adjusting valves and seeing that all was inreadiness for the generating of the powerful gas.
As the airship was half round on the bottom and as it rested in a sortof semi-circular cradle; it brought the entrance some distance above theground. To make it easier to get in and out while preparations for thetrial were going on, Bill and Tom had made an improvised pair of steps,which were tied to the side of the ship with ropes.
Up and down these the professor, the boys and Andy went, taking in toolsand materials, and removing considerable refuse which had accumulatedduring the building of the craft.
Finally all was in readiness for starting the making of the gas. Theship was not wholly complete and no supplies or provisions for the longvoyage had been taken aboard. The _Flying Mermaid_ was about a tonlighter than it would be when fully fitted out, but to make up for thisthe professor had left in the ship a lot of tools and surplus machineryso that the craft held as much weight as it would under normalconditions. If the gas lifted it now it would at any other time.
"Start the generator," said Mr. Henderson, to Mark. "We'll soon seewhether we are going to succeed or fail."
The boy turned a number of levers and wheels. The machine which made thepowerful vapor was soon in operation. The professor had already addedenough of the secret compound to the tank containing the otheringredients, and the big pump was sucking in air to be transformed intothe lifting gas.
The boys and the professor were in the engine room. Andy Sudds, withBill and Tom, had taken their places in the living room, to more evenlybalance the ship, since the things in it were not yet all in theirproper places. As for Washington he was busy running from the shed tothe ship with various tools and bits of machinery the professor desired.
The gas was being generated rapidly. Throughout the ship there resoundeda hissing noise that told it was being forced through the pipe into thealuminum shell above the ship proper.
"I wonder how soon it will begin to lift us," said Mark.
"It will take about half an hour," replied Mr. Henderson. "You see wehave first to fill the holder completely, since there is no gas in it.After this we will keep some on hand, so that it will only need theaddition of a small quantity to enable the ship to rise."
He was busy watching the pointer on a dial which indicated the pressureof the gas, and the lifting force. The boys were kept busy makingadjustments to the machinery and oiling bearings.
Suddenly, throughout the length of the craft there was felt a curioustrembling. It was as though the screw of a powerful steamer wasrevolving in the water.
"What is it?" asked Jack.
"I hope it is the lifting power of the gas making itself felt," theprofessor answered. "Perhaps the _Flying Mermaid_ is getting ready totry her wings."
The trembling became more pronounced. The gas was being generated fasterthan ever. The whole ship was trembling. Tom and Bill came from theroom, where they were stationed, to inquire the meaning, but werereassured by the professor.
"Don't be alarmed if you find yourselves up in the air pretty soon," heremarked with a smile. "Remember the _Electric Monarch_, and the flightsshe took. We may not go as high as we did in her, but it will answer thesame purpose."
The gas was hissing through the big tube as it rushed into the overheadholder. The gage indicated a heavy pressure. The ship began to tremblemore violently and to sway slightly from side to side.
"I think we shall rise presently," said Mr. Henderson. His voice showedthe pride he felt at the seeming success with which his invention wasabout to meet.
Suddenly, with a little jerk, as though some one with a giant hand hadplucked the _Flying Mermaid_ from the earth, the ship gave a littlebound into the air, and was floating free.
"Here we go!" cried Mr. Henderson. "The ship is a success. Now we're offfor the hole in the earth!"
The _Flying Mermaid_ was indeed rising in the air. True it did not go upso swiftly as had the _Monarch_, but then it was a much heavier andstronger vessel, and flying was only one of its accomplishments.
"It's a success! It's a success!" shouted Mark, capering about in hisexcitement.
"Now we'll see what the centre of the earth looks like," went on Jack."I can hardly wait for the ti
me to come when we are to start on thevoyage."
At that instant, when the ship was but a few feet from the ground, butslowly rising, the boys and the professor heard a shouting below them.
"What's that?" asked the scientist. "Is any one hurt?"
Mark ran to a small window, something like a port hole in an oceansteamer, and looked out.
"Quick!" he shouted. "Stop the ship! Washington will be killed!"
In fact from the agonized yells which proceeded from somewhere under thecraft it seemed that the accident was in process of happening.
"Save me! Save me!" cried the colored man. "I'm goin' to fall! Catch me,some one!"
"What is it?" asked the professor, making ready to shut off the powerand let the ship settle back to earth, from which it had moved aboutfifty feet.
"It's Washington," explained Mark. "He evidently tried to walk up thesteps just as the boat mounted skyward. He rolled down and managed tograb the end of the rope which was left over after the steps were tied.Now he's swinging down there."
"Are you going to lower the ship?" asked Jack.
"Of course!" exclaimed the professor. "I only hope he hangs on until hisfeet touch the earth."
"Keep a tight hold!" shouted Mark, from out of the small window.
"That's th' truest thing yo' ever said!" exclaimed Washington. "You betI'm goin' to hold on, and I'm comin' up too," which he proceeded to do,hand over hand, like a sailor.
The boys and the professor watched the colored man's upward progress.The ship had hardly begun to settle as, in the excitement, not enoughgas had been let out. Closer and closer came Washington, until he wasable to grasp the edge of the opening, to which the steps were fastened.
"I thought you weren't coming with us," observed the professor, when hesaw that his helper was safe.
"I changed my mind," said the colored man. "It's jest luck. Seems liketh' ship done wanted me t' go 'long, an' I'm goin'. I'll take my chanceson bein' buried alive. I ain't never seen th' centre of th' earth, an' Iwant's to 'fore I die. I'm goin' 'long, Perfessor!"