Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ...I think I'll go to bed. I want to get up early, for there'll probably be something unexpected to do at the last minute. How about you, professor?" "I think I shall stay up a while yet. I want to get a new specimen of a lightning-bug I noticed in the garden. It was a rare kind, and I almost had one when a mosquito bit me and I had to let the lightning-bug go. But I shall catch it. I will be with you in the morning." Jerry once more reassured his mother that there was no danger in what he and his chums were about to undertake, and then he retired. There was a big crowd about the tent early the next morning, for news had spread that the Comet was to be "launched," if that is the proper term for floating an airship. Probably "floated" would be better. "Well, is everything in good shape?" asked Jerry of Mr. Glassford, as he greeted the inventor in the canvas shelter. "I think so. The motor seems to work perfectly. That was my greatest anxiety. I will now proceed to generate the gas necessary to completely fill the bag. I suppose all three of you boys are coming along?" "Of course; and so is Professor Snodgrass." "That will make a nice party, and we will not have to carry so much ballast. Just go over all the cords, see that none are tangled, and test the wire stays and the braces. We don't want any accident to happen." The boys were a trifle nervous, now that the time was at hand for the great test. YVould the airship rise? Would she sail through the upper atmosphere--or come down like a stone? The big gas bag seemed to promise that at least they would go up, but whether they could advance, and whether the Comet would allow herself...