Motor Matt's face went white, and his heart pounded in his throat. Nevertheless he kept a cool head and a steady hand.
He figured out the exact point where they would come down. It was in the very thickest part of the crowd, and the people were trying frantically to get out of the way.
Then, just as it seemed as though nothing could prevent a terrible accident, the motor again took up its cycle and the slowly whirling propeller increased its speed.
A long breath of relief escaped Matt's tense lips as he drove the aëroplane upward and the direction of the roped-off road.
"What ails the blooming motor?" came from Le Bon in a distraught voice. "We came within one of killing a lot of people. I'm all in a sweat."
"I don't know what's the matter with the motor," answered Matt, "but I'm going to find out just as soon as I turn to go back on the course."
"Better descend. This is more than I can stand."
"We can't descend until we reach the right place."
Matt made a wide turn, the engine working perfectly.
"Hold on tight, below there," he called. "I've got to take my attention from running the motor for a moment, and if we give a wild pitch or two don't be afraid. I'll be able to keep the machine right side up."