The steering rudder had become elevated, and the air-ship started at a tremendous clip toward the clouds. The two aeronauts could be seen rushing around the car like mad. While the two boys watched, the rudder was brought down to a level; but something else had gone wrong, for the machine could not be maneuvered.
Swiftly the air-ship diminished to a mere speck in the southern sky, and then vanished altogether.
Carl turned a blank look at Matt and gave a long whistle.
"Dot proofs, Matt," said he, "dot id don'd vas goot pitzness to monkey mit t'ings you don'd know nodding aboudt. Oof dose fellers run into a shooding shdar dere vill be some fine smash oops."
"Why they ever ventured up in the air-ship, knowing so little about how to manage it, is a mystery."
Matt gave his head an ominous shake.
"Vat vill pecome oof dem?" queried Carl.
"If they can get the steering rudder to working, they can drive the air-ship to the ground. Anyhow, the supply of gasolene will have to give out, in time, and then they may be able to come down."
"Dere iss somet'ing crooked aboudt dose fellers. Oddervise, dey vouldn't be vere dey are."
"Did you see something drop from the driver's pocket, Carl?"