A dozen swings of the starting-handle failed to produced the desired effect. The two men, perspiring profusely, looked at one another more in sorrow than in anger.
"Try advancing the ignition," suggested Alwyn.
"She may back-fire," demurred Peter, "but I'll risk it. Give her more dope. Sure the carburettor's flooding?"
Again they swotted at turning the engine over, Peter at the fly-wheel and Burgoyne at the starting-handle.
"Obstinate as a mule," declared Mostyn. "Get Jasper to bear a hand, while I ''ot up them plugs'—you remember old Paterson's recipe for a refractory motor?"
They heated the sparking-plugs, primed them with petrol, and replaced them. Minalto at the starting-handle heaved until the veins in his forehead looked to be on the point of bursting, but not the faintest sign of an explosion on the part of the motor rewarded his efforts.
"I say," remarked Alwyn; "I suppose you've switched on the ignition?"
Mostyn pointed to the switch. The knob was down right enough.
"Swing her again, Jasper," said Burgoyne coaxingly.
Placing his fingers on the magneto, Alwyn received what he described as a "beautiful shock".