It was as if an
immense box kite was suspended in the air, without a string to hold it
from moving, and as though a cabin was placed amidships to hold human
beings.
"This sure is great!" cried Ned. "Have you got her in control, Tom?"
"I think so. I'll try and see how she works."
By shifting the weights, changing the balance, and warping the wings,
the young inventor sent the craft higher up, made it dip down almost to
the earth, and then swoop upward like some great bird. Then he turned it
completely about and though he developed no great speed in this test
made it progress quarteringly against the wind,
"It's almost perfect," declared Tom. "A few touches and she'll be all
right."
"Is it all right?" asked Ivan Petrofsky anxiously, as the three left the
cabin, and Eradicate hitched his mule to the glider to take it back to
the shed.
"I see where it can be improved," he said, as they made ready to
descend. "I'll soon have it in shape."
"Then we can go to Siberia?"
"In less than a month. The big airship needs some repairs, and then
we'll be off."
The Russian said nothing, but he looked his thanks to Tom, and the
manner in which he grasped the hand of our hero showed his deep
feelings.
The glider was given several more trials, and each time it worked
better. Tom decided to change some of the weights, and he devoted all
his time to this alteration, while Ned, Mr.
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