“It’s all up with her!” cried Jerry.
The next instant there came a terrific explosion, and the dirigible was scattered to the four winds, to fall in a shower of canvas, silk and broken machinery into the sea, there to disappear from sight forever.
“We got away just in time,” spoke Ned in awed tones.
With the motor speeding her back across the ocean, over which she had so gallantly come a long distance, and with the automatic steering apparatus set to guide her, no attention need be paid to the Comet for some time. So the boys and the professor devoted their energies to reviving the men. That they were not dead was soon established, though they were very nearly so.
But Professor Snodgrass knew just what to do, and in about an hour, when some of the medicines they had brought had been administered, Mr. Jackson opened his eyes.
“Where are we? What happened? Is there any hope? Can you see any vessel that will save us?” he gasped. Evidently he thought himself still aboard his own craft.
“You are all right, Wescott!” said Mr. Snodgrass. “Don’t you know me?”
“Uriah Snodgrass!” gasped the millionaire. “Well, of all things! How did you get aboard the Manhattan?”
“I didn’t. It’s you who are aboard here. You’ve been rescued! The Manhattan is no more!” And the scientist quickly explained what had happened.
Mr. Jackson rapidly recovered from the fumes of the gas, as did the members of the crew, and his friend, Mr. Watson, who had made the trip with him. Then the story of the rescue was told.