"
"How far off is it now?" asked Mark.
"About seven hundred and twenty thousand miles."
"Then we'll be up to it in about two hours," went on Mark, making
a rapid calculation.
"I only hope we don't get into it, as well as up to it,"
commented Jack.
"We all do," observed Mr. Henderson. "But now, boys, we are
going to do our best to escape. Mr. Roumann will remain in the
pilot house to steer the projectile, while you and I will attend
to the Etherium, motor."
"Try and see if you can get any more speed out of it," advised
the German. "Use the accelerator plates, as I instructed you.
Perhaps we can pass so quickly through the gaseous tail, or a
portion of it, that we shall not be harmed."
"Even if it blazes?" asked Jack.
"Even if it blazes. The gas between the two shells of our
projectile will absorb an enormous quantity of heat. It is our
only hope."
Their hearts filled with apprehension, the two boys accompanied
Professor Henderson back to the engine-room. There the scientist
changed the plates on the motor, and made some adjustments, as
suggested by Mr.
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