It was then decided to return home.
The mechanism of the flying machine was accordingly well overhauled, and when everything was in readiness for departure, our friends took leave of the whalers.
Going aboard the Ranger, her gyroscopes were put in motion, and she soared up into the frozen sky.
A favoring breeze was encountered, the canvas was shaken out, and under the additional speed thus imparted, she quickly left cold Nova Zembla out of sight.
She remained in a frozen sky until she reached the North Atlantic, and finally got back in a latitude where the days and nights were what they were accustomed to.
Every one was pleased over the success of their trip, for, in spite of the hardships they endured, they had saved Walter Grey, secured the skeleton of the mammoth, and captured Ben Bolt.
There was an ugly prospect ahead of Dr. Vaneyke, though, for he knew that upon his return to Readestown he would have to answer for the murder of which he was accused.
Being entirely innocent, though, he did not shrink from it, for he felt sure of being able to vindicate himself of the crime which had driven them adrift in the frozen sky.
The flying machine finally crossed the Atlantic.
She finally reached the suburbs of Boston and landed in private ground in the dead of night, so that no one but the owner knew of her being there, and he had no objections.