One glance was enough.
"Well, if we haven't been fools!" he exclaimed.
"Vos iss now?" asked the Dutchman.
"The spring has only run down and needs winding."
Every one burst out laughing now that the threatened gravity of the situation resolved itself into a comedy of error.
Jack wound up the spring.
Everyone got aboard and the lights blazed up under Jack's management, the machinery began to work, and the Terror ran ahead again without any trouble.
The delay had given the bandits a chance to escape.
Upon reaching the nearest settlement Jack left the people there whom he had rescued, and the Terror continued on her way.
On the following morning the rain ceased.