“I am agreeable,” spoke the scientist, with a smile. “And I hope we are successful.”
The motorship, Comet, was floated out of the big shed for a trial flight the next day. Harvey Brill was the only one of the party who had not seen it, and his astonishment was a sight to behold. At first he could scarcely believe that it would mount into the air, for the Comet was of large size.
“Oh, she’ll go up,” said Jerry; “and you’ll go with her.”
“I’m game!” exclaimed the miner, grimly.
As I have already described the motorship in previous books of this series I will not go into details now. Sufficient to say that the Comet was a combined aeroplane and dirigible balloon. It had also a hydroplane attachment, enabling it to float on water, and skim over its surface.
There was a powerful motor aboard, that whirled the propellers, causing the ship to advance. This feature could be used when the craft was an aeroplane or dirigible. When it was desired to progress as the latter style of craft the bag could be inflated with a powerful gas, generated aboard the Comet.
There was an engine room, a pilot house, sleeping and eating quarters, and a large living room. Provisions for many days could be carried aboard, and the kitchen was the delight of Bob’s heart. He spent much of his time there when on a trip, concocting new and dainty dishes.
In fact the Comet was a veritable motorship of the air, as much so as a yacht would be on some lake or ocean. In it the boys had traveled many thousands of miles, and had visited places which would have been inaccessible but for their unique craft, much of which they had built themselves, with the help of a veteran balloonist.
“Well, get aboard!” called Jerry, when he had seen that everything was in readiness. The professor took his place with as much unconcern as if he was going for an auto ride. He had an insect net with him, for he often got curious creatures of the upper air on these trips. Jim Nestor had often ridden in the Comet, and of course to Bob and Ned it was an old story. But Mr. Brill hesitated about getting into the cabin.
“Are you sure she won’t bust and come down with us?” he asked, nervously.