Hastening up to the pilot-house Frank heard a terrific noise inside and imagined that some man was in the place.
As he hastened in he saw that it was caused by an enormous orang-outang about four feet tall, of a brownish red color, and having extremely long arms.
The brute was evidently a denizen of the neighborhood, and having gone aboard had began to play with the levers.
By this means the helices were started.
Getting one of its paws into the semi-circular handle of one of the levers it could not withdraw it, and becoming panic-stricken, it began to struggle to release itself.
It showed its huge canine teeth to Frank, threateningly, as he entered, and uttered a fierce cry, while a most diabolical look crossed its projecting face.
“Heavens! An ape!” gasped the astonished inventor.
The brute renewed its fierce struggles.
Suddenly tearing itself free, it came at Frank on all four paws, and he retreated.
With an agile bound the animal landed on top of him.