Suddenly the stillness all about the ship was broken by the rattling exhaust as the motor started. The big propellers began to revolve, whirling around like streaks of light. Faster and faster they went.
“We’re moving! We’re moving!” cried Jerry, looking from a side window in the cabin down toward the earth.
“I thought we would,” replied Mr. Glassford quietly.
He began to steer the ship. There was scarcely any wind, and the Comet moved from right to left at will. The inventor went around in a circle, and cut a figure eight above the heads of the crowd. Then he descended a little by tilting the elevation rudder, and when some cried out in fear that he was dropping upon their heads, he shifted a lever, and the balloon aeroplane shot upward again. It seemed to be under perfect control.
All at once, above the rattle of the motor was heard another sound. The cabin windows were open, and Jerry heard something whizz past his ear with a curious, singing tone.
“What’s that?” cried Professor Snodgrass, who had not said a word since they started, seeming to take it all as a matter of course. “Is that a new kind of mosquito? I must catch it. Where is my net?”
“It sounded more like a bullet,” said Ned.
“That’s what it was,” declared Jerry. “A bullet or a shot. Some one is firing at us!”
He looked down. There seemed to be some commotion in the crowd. They could hear shouting.
Then came another of those curious, whining, whizzing sounds. Jerry leaped to his feet.