“No, sir,” replied the engineer, “and I’m rather heavy. But there’s young M’Cracken; he’s a light weight; an uncommonly handy fellow too, and judging from some remarks of his when we’ve been watching the airship, he knows something about ’em; seems to have read a good deal. I can do without him for a day or two, especially if we lie at anchor here.”
“Ah! Yes! Where is he? He was here a few seconds ago.”
M’Cracken was haled from below. He appeared even more grimy than ever.
“Look here, M’Cracken,” said Mr. Greatorex. “Mr. Dorrell wants some one to help him, and Mr. Mumford suggests you: speaks well of you, you know. You’ve never been on an airship, of course; but all you’ve to do is to keep calm, and do exactly as you are told. You’re not afraid—no nerves, oh?”
“No, sir.”
“You’re very hoarse still. It will do you good, you know, to be away from that furnace for a day or two. Well, you’d better get a wash.”
“No time for that,” said Tom quickly. “It’s past ten o’clock, and we ought to have started long ago.”
“Very well. You’re not going visiting, to be sure. Well, M’Cracken, go and put on your reefer; the night’s cold, and will be colder.”
“Ay, ay, sir,” returned M’Cracken, and dived with alacrity below. He was back in less than a minute. Then Tom entered the car of the airship, followed by Abdul and the stoker. With one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the lever controlling the engines, he called to the men to cast loose the ropes securing the car to the deck. Then he started the ascensional screw, and with a whirr like that of a gigantic humming-top the airship rose slowly from the yacht’s deck.
“Good-bye, Tom,” shouted Mr. Greatorex. “Be careful, my boy; run no risks.”