Alan answered him.
"We are only afraid because it might draw an attack from some
observer. Balloonists are never safe from meddlesome persons or
worse. But there isn't the same danger if the light isn't on the
balloon."
"Sure," said Bob. "I understand that. But you can't hold it very
far away."
"No," answered Ned, "that's why we braided two good copper wires in
our drag rope." As he said this he opened the trap door in the
floor of the cabin and feeling about in the dark soon had hold of
the coiled drag.
"I guess I'm dull," began Bob.
"No," interrupted Alan, "only you haven't given two or three years
to figuring out the possibilities of an air ship."
Ned was attaching the bulb, reflector down, to the end of the rope.
"That rope is three hundred feet long. A light at the end of it is
quite a way from our bag.
"Oh, I see," exclaimed Bob at last. "If we find Indians and they
shoot at our searchlight they are pretty sure to miss us."
"That is the theory," answered Ned.
And then the plan in Ned's mind was explained. The engine was to be
started at quarter speed, which meant that the sound would be
imperceptible; and, lying on the floor of the cabin, Ned was to
direct the movements of the ship, with Alan at the rudder wheel and
Bob at the aeroplane guider.
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