It probably occurred to them that they might fathom its construction and learn to operate the air-ship themselves.
But they were bewildered with all its intricacies and were speedily obliged to abandon that idea. They finally went into the pilot-house and began trifling with the keyboard.
And right here they made a mistake. For by an inadvertence Bowler pressed the helice lever wide open.
What happened was a literal surprise to all.
There was a terrific, whirring sound, and up into the air shot the air-ship. Bowler did not know how to press the lever back and could not therefore check the craft’s ascent.
Both he and Dooley rushed out on deck.
They stared down at the rapidly receding earth, half in fright. As it happened none of the other gold-seekers were aboard.
Dooley was angry.
“What the deuce did you do that for, Bowler?” he cried. “Now undo your work lively.”
“I can’t do it, sor!” replied the sailor, as he tried in vain to reverse the lever. It would not work.