By twisting the “Start” spool backward and forward Johnny had brought the Flying Machine to the Moon’s surface very gently, but by no twisting of rudder or the spools could he effect a landing except by heading the Flying Machine directly for the surface. It was in this manner that the machine came to rest, with the front of the box resting upon the surface of the Moon, and the rudder sticking up in the air. The children sat in the box as though they were tied there and were very much surprised to find that they did not fall to the ground.
There they sat—directly facing the ground, with their backs to the sky.
“Let’s get out and look around, Janey! This feels too funny, sitting this way!” And Johnny started to put his foot over the side of the box down to the Moon.
“Wait a moment!” Janey cried as she caught her brother and held him. “We may tumble back into the sky if we get out of the Flying Machine!”
“I do not think we shall do that! I had not thought of it, though!” Johnny mused.
“One thing certain—it is a long fall to the farm.”
Finally Janey cried, “I have it!” And she took off her slipper and held it out to the side of the box. Johnny watched her with much interest.
“If the slipper falls to the ground, it is safe for us to get out!” she said as she dropped it.
The slipper dropped very slowly to the ground.
“It didn’t seem to want to go very much!” she said.