Indeed, it was lucky that none of them reached the deck.
They could not have remained there a moment.
The horror of the situation can easily be imagined when it is remembered that all was utter darkness and the voyagers were groping about the cabin in the most fearful of uncertainty.
“My God!” gasped Frank, in utter horror, “we are lost!”
There was no expectation but that the rigging would be wrecked and they would be dashed into the sea.
A fearful death by drowning would be certain in that event.
But a lucky accident saved the airship and the lives of all on board.
The fearful shock of the wind had caused the rotascope lever to fly open. In a moment the full current was on.
The rotascope revolved for all it was worth. This steadied the airship and caused it to shoot upward with fearful rapidity.
This saved the day. Up, whirling higher and higher went the Dart. Suddenly the wind ceased, sunlight was all about, and the airship rode in quiet air.