Then Washington, who was ready to faint with fear and despair, gave a cry of joy. He had noticed that the height indicator stopped. At the same time the gas register showed that the vapor from the machine was entering the bag.
"Glory! Glory!" cried the negro. "We's saved now. De ship is goin' up, and the gas is workin' in. De wind must be goin' down!"
Then, while all save Professor Henderson, who was still unconscious, crowded into the engine room, they saw that what Washington said was true. The pressure of the wind had lessened, permitting the bag to fill with the gas. This served to lift the ship, and the pointer on the height indicator began to move upward. Higher and higher went the craft, until in a few minutes the register showed six hundred feet. They had been saved from death in the sea.
"Hurrah!" cried Jack. "I believe the tornado has left us!"
Indeed the roaring of the wind was less now. The ship was no longer violently tossed. In a few minutes the wind died away almost completely, and, aside from the rising motion, and a slight swaying, the Monarch rode on an even keel. The danger was over.
"Is the ship safe?" called Professor Henderson from his bunk.
"All safe!" exclaimed the hunter cheerfully. "We had a little blow, but it is all over, and the Monarch behaved like the King she is—or, perhaps I ought to say Queen, seeing that all ships are ladies. But how do you feel, professor?"
"I am much better," was the answer, showing that the medicine had done its work. "I feel hungry," he went on. "What time is it?"
"Six o'clock," answered Jack, looking at the dial.
"Night or morning?"