Meanwhile, the last of the stores and supplies had been put in
the Annihilator, a final inspection had been given the machinery,
and all the scientific instruments were in place.
Washington carried the cage containing his rooster into the
storeroom, where there was a large quantity of provisions,
sufficient to last for a year, in case, after reaching Mars, the
travelers should find on the planet no food which they could cat.
There was a plentiful supply of water, and machinery for
distilling more out of the atmosphere. The gas that occupied the
space between what might be termed the two skins of the
projectile had already been pumped in, and nothing remained to,
do but for the adventurers to enter the great airship, as it
might be designated, seal up the ports, turn on the power and
start.
Mr. Roumann looked critically to the bracing up of the
Annihilator, to see that it was slanted just right. Then he went
carefully over every inch of the great machine, to make sure that
there were no openings which were not closed. As he reached the
port that communicated with the storeroom, he found it only
partly shut.
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