[CHAPTER XII]
ALMOST RUN DOWN
With vigorous motions Jerry sent the flywheel spinning around. It went fast enough, but there was no answering chug-chug. He adjusted the spark and gasolene levers a few notches forward and tried again, but without results.
“Maybe the gasolene is out,” suggested Bob.
“There was plenty a while ago,” answered Jerry.
Still, he was aware that sometimes a tank will spring a leak most unexpectedly. He tried the reservoir, and found there was enough of the liquid to last a long time. He was sure then the trouble must be in the motor.
In quick succession Jerry tried all the means known to him of locating the difficulty. He knew it must be something slight, as there was good compression. Then he tried the batteries and they gave a “fat” green spark. Clearly there was electricity enough.
“I say,” called back Sam, “got to do something pretty soon. We’re losing steerage way, and we’ll be in the trough in a few minutes.”
With Ned and Bob to help and offer suggestions, Jerry went all over the engine to locate the trouble. It might be in one of a dozen places, for a gasolene motor is a delicate machine and can get more kinds of things the matter with it than can a baby.