Hardly had he made this announcement than there was an alarming cracking, snapping sound from the bow of the Flying Road Racer.
A dark, sharp-pointed object whizzed through the air, and the next instant there came a sudden sound of ripping fabric, followed by a hissing noise as of escaping steam.
“Great jumping sea serpents, what’s happened now?” bellowed Captain Andrews.
“A blade of the propeller has torn loose from its hub and pierced the gas bag,” shouted Jack in an alarmed tone.
“We’re falling!” suddenly screamed out Abner Jennings.
“Bound for Davy Jones’ locker, sure as fate!” bawled one of the sailors.
“Get out the life jackets!” yelled Tom at the top of his voice. “They are in that locker on the right-hand side of the tonneau.”
All this time the Flying Road Racer was slowly descending. The broken propeller blade had ripped a big hole in the side of the gas bag, through which the vapor was rushing forth.
“Isn’t it possible to repair it?” cried Mr. Jesson.
Jack shook his head.