“They’re shooting at us, Mr. Glassford!” he cried.
At that moment the motor stopped, and the airship began to descend rapidly.
[CHAPTER XVI]
NODDY’S PLOT
Instantly there was a commotion aboard the Comet. The boys started to their feet, and with fear in their eyes looked forward to where Mr. Glassford stood in the small pilot house. The airship continued to descend, but not so rapidly as before.
“Are we—is there any danger?” cried Jerry. “Shall I let go some of the ballast?”
“Not a bagful,” replied the inventor calmly. “Nothing has happened. One of the chains operating the propellers has broken, and I stopped the motor before it could get tangled in the wheels. Then I let out a little gas to bring us down. We must make a descent, but there is nothing serious the matter. I can fix it in half an hour, and we can go up again.”
“I thought some one had shot a hole in the gas bag,” remarked Bob.
“Some one was certainly shooting at us,” added Ned. “Look down there. Something is the matter.”