We'd better begin work at four
o'clock to-morrow morning, as soon as it begins to be light, and get
away about two in the afternoon. I think we'll see our friends
about seven or just at dark, if we do."
CHAPTER XVII
AN INTERRUPTED FLIGHT
And so it was arranged. The young aeronauts thus had all afternoon
to store provisions, water, gasoline and the instruments. The
altitude barometer, the recording thermometer, the statoscope and
recording hygrometer, together with the telescopic camera were each
given a place on the bridge and lashed to the netting. The
twenty-five-foot rope-ladder, strong but light, that was to hang
below the car, and the anchor and drag rope, were attached, the name
pennant of white with the word "Cibola" resplendent in blue, "turquoise
blue," explained Ned--was unfurled on its little staff just abaft the
big propeller, and a new silk American flag was laid out it the stern
of the car to be run up on its halyards as soon as the bag was attached.
Then came the careful transfer of the liquid hydrogen. One at a
time the cast iron eases were carried from the building, hoisted
aboard the car and lashed in place.
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