CHAPTER XVII
TURNING TURTLE
Together Mark and Jack leaped for the engine room. Their faces showed the fear they felt. Even before they reached it, they realized that, at the awful speed at which they were travelling, and the fearful velocity of the meteor, there might be a crash in mid-air which would destroy the projectile and end their lives.
"I wonder if we can steer clear of it?" gasped Jack.
"If it's possible the professor will do it," responded his chum.
The next instant they were in the engine room, where Mr. Roumann was bending over the Cardite motor.
"Shut off the power!" yelled Jack.
"We are going to hit a meteor!" gasped Mark.
The German looked up with a startled glance.
"Slow down?" he repeated. "It is impossible to slow down at once! We are going ninety miles a second!" He pointed to the speed gauge.