Then the commander of the balloon disappeared below.
There were almost immediately several sharp, muffled explosions, and
then the white propeller began to turn. The balloon was drifting
quickly toward the northwest and rising--Bob could see its shadow
following on the sandy plain. Then the arms of the propeller turned
faster and faster and a velvet whirr in the cabin showed that the
engine was falling to work. As the propeller blades settled into a
steady hum the vibration of the car indicated increased speed. This
Bob could also detect from the more swiftly flying shadow.
The shadow was also growing smaller, and this meant that the Cibola
was still ascending. Now the shadow paused and turned. Alan had
thrown the rudder over and the balloon had responded instantly. The
aeroplane arms stretched out horizontally on each side of the car.
Ned, reappearing, took a quick look at the altitude gauge and again
disappeared. The aeroplane arms dipped in front almost forty-five
degrees and the current, blown back by the propeller, struck them
with a jar. The craft again responded and slowly took a downward
slant.
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