human
Bless my pulley wheel! exclaimed Mr. Damon
gpt
I hope nothing has gone wrong.
human
Well something has! declared the young inventor in a muffled voice, for he was down on his hands and knees peering under the gas apparatus.
gpt
One of the compression cylinders has cracked, he added dubiously.
human
It must have snapped when we landed this last time. I came down too heavily.
gpt
What does that mean?
human
It means that I've got to put a new cylinder in, went on Tom.
gpt
It's quite a job, too, but we can't make gas without it!
human
Well, can't you do it just as well up in the air as down here? asked Mr. Durban.
gpt
Make an ascension, Tom, and do the repairs up above, where we've got good air, and where--
human
What is it?
gpt
That's what I was afraid of! cried the old elephant hunter, catching up his gun.
human
Some black scout has seen us and is summoning his tribesmen. Hurry, Tom, send up the ship, and we'll take care of the savages.
gpt
But I CAN'T send her up!
human
You can't? Why not?
gpt
Because the gas machine won't work until I put in a new cylinder, and that will take at least a half a day.
human
Go up as an aeroplane then! cried Mr. Damon.
gpt
Bless my monkey wrench, Tom, you've often done it before.
human
We haven't room to get a running start of ten feet. he said,
gpt
The natives! cried Mr. Anderson.
human
They're coming right this way! We must fight them off if they attack us!
gpt
Where's the electric rifle? asked Ned.
human
Get that out, Tom!
gpt
Wait! suggested Mr. Durban.
human
This is serious! It looks as if they were going to attack us, and they have us at a disadvantage. Our only safety is in flight, but as Tom says we can't go up until the gas machine is fixed, he will have to attend to that part of it while we keep off the black men. Tom, we can't spare you to fight this time! You repair the ship as soon as you can, and we'll guard her from the natives. And you've got to work lively!
gpt
I will! cried the young inventor.
human
It's luck we have a spare cylinder!