The reconverter, a reduced inversion of the apparatus used in making
liquid air, was made ready. When the muffled explosions and the
heat of the tubes told the boys that the reconverter was working
perfectly and pumping new and needed gas into the shrunken Cibola's
long bag, the lashings were loosed and once more the faithful
dirigible mounted skyward.
With Major Honeywell's map of the region spread out on the deck of
the bridge and the binoculars in hand Ned began the long anticipated
search for the lost city.
All day the process of turning the liquid hydrogen back into buoyant
gas went on. And all day the Cibola wound her devious course over
the peaks and chasms beneath. By night half the hydrogen jars were
empty and Ned and Alan saw the evening close in on them without a
sign of the object of their search. When darkness stopped further
work the balloon was brought to earth and camp made again.
The following day, as uneventful as the first, gave no indication of
the secret city. The rest of the liquid hydrogen was transformed
into gas. The sun seemed to enfold the craft in a fiery embrace.
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