"You bet!" exclaimed Jack fervently, speaking for himself and Mark.
The Monarch sped on her way. Every hour brought her nearer to her starting point. When it became evident that the machinery was now in good working order and not liable to a breakdown, the professor ordered a meal gotten ready, since all were hungry.
With thankful hearts they sat down to a spread of the best the patent foods afforded, and ate heartily. Then, being worn out with fatigue, the professor advised all to take to their bunks and get some sleep. He said he would steer the ship for a while, to be relieved by Washington and Jack in turn.
Regular watches were established before the adventurers sought their bunks, and then, while the craft shot southward, quiet reigned aboard.
No further mishaps occurred. For some days the Monarch was kept on her course. Every hour it grew warmer until the fur garments were discarded, and at length the windows were opened and the fresh breezes blew inside the cabins. The temperate zone had been reached.
Over green meadows, woods, hills and valleys the airship flew; across wide bays, great rivers and large lakes. Now it was high in the air, above the clouds, and, again, close to the earth, as the captain directed.
At last, just at dusk one summer afternoon, a little less than a month from the time they had left, the inventor stopped the propeller.
"We are right above my old cabin," he said. "Now we are going to land.
This ends the voyage to the north pole, and we are back safe and sound."
The ship settled down, about a hundred feet from the balloon shed, which remained the same as when the adventurers had left it. No one was in sight, and the travelers stepped out on the ground.
"If you will come inside I will pay you for your time, Andy," said Mr. Henderson; "and you, too, Bill and Tom. You know I promised you good wages while you were with me, and I think you have earned the money."