One glance told Frank the truth. The shock of the falling missile had caused the helix lever to fly shut and had shut off the electric current. This had checked the speed of the helices and allowed the air-ship to fall.
With one leap Frank reached the keyboard.
He turned the lever swiftly and to his horror found that it was bent. However, the downward speed of the ship was materially checked.
The next moment there was a shock and she rested upon the ground. Then Frank shut off the current entirely.
He sprang out of the pilot-house and glanced about to see that they were resting safely upon a broad expanse of ledge on the mountain side.
Below them sloped the mountain for miles into green valleys. The danger was over.
“Be me sowl!” gasped Barney, as he crawled to his feet; “phwat the divil was it that was afther hitting me? Shure it med me dizzy the while.”
“Hang me high!” roared Nicodemus, “I thought our bones were spoiled for that! How did we escape?”
“It was a close call,” said Frank.
“Golly! Wha’ was dat struck us?” interrogated Pomp.