Bob lost no time in telephoning the good news, and that noon Mr. Glassford got possession of the very necessary piece of machinery.
“Can we get the ship ready in time?” asked Jerry anxiously as they were all in the tent where the Comet swayed to and fro at her mooring ropes.
“We’re going to make a big attempt,” replied Mr. Glassford, removing his coat, preparatory to hard work.
[CHAPTER XXIV]
“THEY’RE OFF!”
Though Hoswell, in removing the lever, had done no material damage to the ship, he had unscrewed so many bolts and nuts, and had made so many changes, that it was no small matter to get everything in proper shape in the limited time which remained.
But the boys and Mr. Glassford were earnest workers, and they had much at stake. They toiled with a will all the remainder of the day, and toward evening they saw success ahead of them.
“There, it’s on!” announced the inventor as he stepped back to gaze at the work. “Now, boys, if you’ll get busy and tighten up the stay and guy wires I’ll arrange the gas-generating machine. We’ll barely have time enough, as it is, to fill the bag.”
“And we can’t make any trial flight,” said Jerry. “All the other machines had try-outs to-day.”