CHAPTER VII
THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE WATER
"Now we will drop down from the sky a way," said the little dark man, "and I hope soon to show you some other interesting things. But, madam, you must be ready to throw the green powder into the engine the moment I tell you to do so."
Even as he spoke, the boat began to descend, and now struck the water with a soft splash. "Quick! the green powder now!" cried the little dark man. At that instant, the Widow Pickle tossed a pinch of the green powder into the furnace door, and, to her great surprise, the little ship settled down gently, the steam changed from blue to green in color, and the wheels began to turn around with a motion which sent the boat forward very quickly.
"Mamma, mamma," cried Zuzu, "we are sinking! Look! We are going down!"
Lulu also was very much excited, but the Private Secretary smilingly reassured them.
"Of course," he said. "Did you suppose the Gee-Whiz Express would run upon the top of the water like any ordinary steamboat? Any one can build a boat like that."
"But we'll all be drowned," cried the Widow Pickle.