WASHINGTON DECIDES
"We must catch that cylinder!" the professor exclaimed. "Some one may
find it when it comes down and analyze the gas. Then he would discover
how to make it. The cylinder must come down!"
"Don't see how we can proximate ourselves inter th' vicinity of it
lessen 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 into
birds I'll show you that you're mistaken!" cried Andy Sudds. "I guess I
have a trick or two up my sleeve," and the old hunter quickly threw open
the breech of his gun and inserted a couple of cartridges.
He raised the piece to his shoulder and took quick aim. There was a
sliver of flame, a puff of smoke and a sharp report. The professor and
the 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 began
to descend, and it and the weight fell to the earth.
"I'm sorry I had to put a bullet through it, Professor," said old Andy
with 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 more
cylinders, but I don't want that secret of the gas to become known. Your
bullet served a good turn, Andy, for it let the compressed vapor out
just in time."
"Then we may consider the experiment a success," said Mark, as
Washington went to where the cylinder had fallen, to detach it from the
weight 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. But
the 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 to
eat. Then, with Sunday to sit around and talk matters over, we will be
ready 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 the
evening the boys and their friends sat in the living room of the big
shed and talked over the events of the day.
Sunday was spent in discussing what adventures might lie before them
should they be able to descend into the big hole. Washington did not say
much, but it was easy to see he had no notion of going. He even began to
pack 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 early
in 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 live
folks," he said.
In order to properly test the _Flying Mermaid_ it was necessary to move
the craft from the shed from which place it had never been taken since
it's construction was started. It had been built on big rollers in
anticipation of this need, so that all which was now necessary was to
open the doors at the end, and roll the craft out.
This was accomplished with no small amount of labor, and it was nearly
noon before the big ship was moved into the open. It was shoved along to
a little clearing in front of the shed, where no trees would interfere
with its possible upward movement.
Everyone was bustling about. The professor was busiest of all. He went
from one machine to another; from this apparatus to that, testing here,
turning wheels there, adjusting valves and seeing that all was in
readiness for the generating of the powerful gas.
As the airship was half round on the bottom and as it rested in a sort
of semi-circular cradle; it brought the entrance some distance above the
ground. To make it easier to get in and out while preparations for the
trial 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 tools
and materials, and removing considerable refuse which had accumulated
during the building of the craft.
Finally all was in readiness for starting the making of the gas. The
ship was not wholly complete and no supplies or provisions for the long
voyage had been taken aboard. The _Flying Mermaid_ was about a ton
lighter than it would be when fully fitted out, but to make up for this
the professor had left in the ship a lot of tools and surplus machinery
so that the craft held as much weight as it would under normal
conditions. If the gas lifted it now it would at any other time.
"Start the generator," said Mr. Henderson, to Mark. "We'll soon see
whether we are going to succeed or fail."
The boy turned a number of levers and wheels. The machine which made the
powerful vapor was soon in operation. The professor had already added
enough of the secret compound to the tank containing the other
ingredients, and the big pump was sucking in air to be transformed into
the lifting gas.
The boys and the professor were in the engine room. Andy Sudds, with
Bill and Tom, had taken their places in the living room, to more evenly
balance the ship, since the things in it were not yet all in their
proper places. As for Washington he was busy running from the shed to
the ship with various tools and bits of machinery the professor desired.
The gas was being generated rapidly. Throughout the ship there resounded
a hissing noise that told it was being forced through the pipe into the
aluminum 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 we
have 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 the
addition of a small quantity to enable the ship to rise."
He was busy watching the pointer on a dial which indicated the pressure
of the gas, and the lifting force. The boys were kept busy making
adjustments to the machinery and oiling bearings.
Suddenly, throughout the length of the craft there was felt a curious
trembling. It was as though the screw of a powerful steamer was
revolving in the water.
"What is it?" asked Jack.
"I hope it is the lifting power of the gas making itself felt," the
professor answered. "Perhaps the _Flying Mermaid_ is getting ready to
try her wings."
The trembling became more pronounced. The gas was being generated faster
than ever. The whole ship was trembling. Tom and Bill came from the
room, where they were stationed, to inquire the meaning, but were
reassured by the professor.
"Don't be alarmed if you find yourselves up in the air pretty soon," he
remarked with a smile. "Remember the _Electric Monarch_, and the flights
she took. We may not go as high as we did in her, but it will answer the
same purpose."
The gas was hissing through the big tube as it rushed into the overhead
holder. The gage indicated a heavy pressure. The ship began to tremble
more violently and to sway slightly from side to side.
"I think we shall rise presently," said Mr. Henderson. His voice showed
the pride he felt at the seeming success with which his invention was
about to meet.
Suddenly, with a little jerk, as though some one with a giant hand had
plucked the _Flying Mermaid_ from the earth, the ship gave a little
bound into the air, and was floating free.
"Here we go!" cried Mr. Henderson. "The ship is a success. Now we're off
for the hole in the earth!"
The _Flying Mermaid_ was indeed rising in the air. True it did not go up
so swiftly as had the _Monarch_, but then it was a much heavier and
stronger vessel, and flying was only one of its accomplishments.
"It's a success! It's a success!" shouted Mark, capering about in his
excitement.
"Now we'll see what the centre of the earth looks like," went on Jack.
"I can hardly wait for the time to come when we are to start on the
voyage."
At that instant, when the ship was but a few feet from the ground, but
slowly 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 ocean
steamer, and looked out.
"Quick!" he shouted. "Stop the ship! Washington will be killed!"
In fact from the agonized yells which proceeded from somewhere under the
craft 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 power
and let the ship settle back to earth, from which it had moved about
fifty feet.
"It's Washington," explained Mark. "He evidently tried to walk up the
steps just as the boat mounted skyward. He rolled down and managed to
grab 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 his
feet 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 bet
I'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 enough
gas had been let out. Closer and closer came Washington, until he was
able 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 he
saw that his helper was safe.
"I changed my mind," said the colored man. "It's jest luck. Seems like
th' ship done wanted me t' go 'long, an' I'm goin'. I'll take my chances
on bein' buried alive. I ain't never seen th' centre of th' earth, an' I
want's to 'fore I die. I'm goin' 'long, Perfessor!"