Five Thousand Miles Underground | Page 7

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