Mr. Vardon depended on the gyroscope to perform a like service for the airship, and to do it automatically.
The aviator waited a few moments before giving the order to make the sudden rush. Already the apparatus to which was contrasted Lieutenant Larson's mercury tubes, had acted, and the Abaris, which had dipped, when all the passengers collected on one side, had now resumed her level keel again, showing that the gyroscope had worked so far at any rate.
"Now we'll give her a trial," called Mr. Vardon. "All ready, come over on the run, and throw her around, Dick!"
On the run they came, and Dick whirled the steering wheel around to the left, to cause the Abaris to swerve suddenly.
And swerve she did. With a sickening motion she turned as a vessel rolls in a heavy sea, and, at the same moment there was a dip toward the earth. The motor which had been humming at high speed went dead on the instant, and Dick Hamilton's airship plunged downward.
CHAPTER XVI
DICK IS WARNED
"What's the matter?"
"What happened?"