Propeller, rudder and aeroplane being at work, Ned again appeared.
"Go below," he ordered sharply, "and bear a hand when needed."
Bob did so. Alan was on the pilot platform with his hands on the
wheel controlling the rudder wires. His eyes were fixed straight
ahead.
"See that lever," he said, jerking his head to the left.
Bob quickly discovered the aeroplane guider control and sprang to
it.
"Wait for orders," added Alan.
CHAPTER XIX
THE FIRST FLIGHT
The balloon was still sliding downwards and swiftly forward. For
several minutes the three boys stood in silence. Only the steady
whirr of the engine and a musical humming of vibrating wires could
be heard. Bob wondered if they were headed earthward again, for he
could see the approaching foothills widening out beneath. At last,
when they could not have been over five hundred feet from the
ground, came the quick order:
"Right the planes."
Bob was almost caught napping, for he was busy looking through the
window. But his hands responded instantly, and he almost choked
with chagrin to find that he had started to throw the lever the
wrong way.
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