CHAPTER XVIII
GETTING A ZEPPELIN
Dick Martin became frantic when he saw what was about to happen. He
fairly tore at the various levers and controls, and even increased
the speed of the motor, but this last only had the effect of sending
the machine at a faster rate toward the big expanse of glass, which
was the greenhouse roof.
"Shut it off! Shut off the motor!" cried Tom, but his words could
not be heard, so he punched Martin in the back, and when that
frightened lad looked around his teacher made him understand by
signs, what was wanted.
With the motor off there was a chance to speak, and Torn cried:
"Head her up! Try to make her rise and we may clear. I can't do a
thing with the levers back here!"
Martin tried, but his efforts had little effect. For one instant
the machine rose as though to clear the fragile glass. Then it
dived down again, straight for the greenhouse roof.
"Guess it's all up with this machine!" thought Tom quickly. He was
not afraid of being killed. The distance to fall was not enough for
that, and though he and his fellow aviator might be cut by broken
glass, still the body of the aeroplane would protect them pretty
well from even this contingency. But there was sure to be
considerable damage to the property of a French civilian, and the
machine, which was one of the best, was pretty certain to be badly
broken.
And then there came a terrific crash.
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