They started one morning in a large boat, which Silex Corundum,
the ruler of Mars, had placed at their disposal, and in a short
time were approaching the distant hills, at the foot of which was
the great lake. The boat moved swiftly, the controlling
mechanism consisting of three little knobs on the outside of the
box containing the Cardite. One sent the craft forward, one
reversed it, and the other stopped it.
"We're almost there," said Mr. Roumann, after about an hour's
sail. "There are no guards this way, just as I hoped. We shall
soon be enormously wealthy."
Nearer and nearer came the boat to the hills. When they were
within a half mile of them Jack, who was in the bow, uttered a
cry.
"A whirlpool! A whirlpool!" he shouted. "We're heading right
into it!"
Mr. Roumann, who was steering, tried to turn the boat to one
side, but the craft would not answer the helm.
"Shut off the power and reverse!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson, when
he saw that the boat was still rushing into the dangerous swirl
of water.
Mark, who was near the metal box, did so. But even the power of
Cardite was of no avail against the awful suction of the
whirlpool.
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