"We cannot use the machinery."
"I know that, but I can use something else--that is, I think I can."
"There is nothing to use."
"Yes, there is. See here!"
As the youth spoke he seized a long pole from the deck, and stuck one end of it in a large cake of ice that floated close by. Slowly, but with the strength of despair he pushed the bow of the airship around so that it was pointed away from the on-coming whale.
"Run to the rear!" the boy cried to Andy. "And hurry up!"
The hunter did so. A few seconds later the stern of the ship was toward the ocean monster. Andy called for some one to bring ammunition and feed the hopper of the machine gun, and Bill responded.
Then, when the whale was within a hundred feet of the _Monarch_, Andy began turning the crank. A storm of lead shot out toward the big fish.
The water about was dyed with blood and the spouting streams from the nostrils were changed from white to red. With a terrible flurry, lashing the waters of the ocean to foam with its broad flukes, the whale died, hundreds of bullets in its head.
The airship was saved.
CHAPTER x.x.x
HOMEWARD BOUND
"We"re sinking! we"re sinking!" yelled Bill Jones. He pointed to a stream of water that was trickling up from the cabin floor. The freezing of the ship in the ice had strained the seams.
The professor and Washington were working earnestly over the gas machine. They piled in fresh chemicals and started the electric current.
The water in the cabin continued to rise.
"Well, I guess I might as well have let the whale finish us," sighed Andy. "We"re bound to die, anyhow!"
"Not yet!" cried the professor suddenly. "Not if I can help it! Quick, Washington. Another turn to the handle, and I think we will be safe!"
The negro adjusted the machine as the professor had directed.
"Is the water gaining?" asked Amos Henderson.
"No. It"s stopped coming in," replied Bill.
"Then we are saved!" announced the inventor. "The gas is entering the bag and lifting the ship!"
Sure enough, the Monarch no longer pitched and tossed on the waves. It was rising in the air. In a little while it was quite a distance above the ocean. All on board watched anxiously, but the craft appeared to be on its good behavior and mounted steadily upward. The propeller, which had been stopped, was again set in motion. The professor went to the conning tower and began steering the ship to the south. The adventurers were homeward bound at last.
For some time no one spoke, so anxious were they lest another accident should occur. But when, after another hour or two, the ship still kept on its flight, all breathed easier.
"Well, we"ve been to the north pole," remarked Jack, after a long pause.
"That"s something very few can say."
"Yes, I think we can safely a.s.sert that we have accomplished what we set out to do," remarked the professor. "True, we did not land on the exact spot, and I am inclined to believe it would be impossible, because of the whirlwind of the electric currents. But we certainly were at the exact north, as the deflecting needle showed."
"I wonder if the south pole is like this?" asked Mark.
"I do not know," returned Amos Henderson with a smile. "I hope the south pole is a little nicer. We might go and see, some day. Would you boys like to make the trip?"
"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."
The hunter and the two helpers were liberally rewarded for the time they had spent. Bidding the professor good-bye, they went their several ways, to astonish their friends and acquaintances with their strange tales.
"As for you, boys," went on Amos Henderson to Jack and Mark, "I will pay you, too, if you like, or you can continue with me, and perhaps some day we"ll make a trip to the South Pole--if not through the air, then under the sea, for I have in mind to build a submarine boat next. What do you say?"
"I"ll stay," said Jack.
"So will I," exclaimed Mark. "Hurrah for the South Pole!"
"Then come on in to supper," cried the professor gaily, leading the way to his cabin.
THE END.