The Washington times., 1911-08-07

~ o you suppose I've come all
the way to Tibet without
finding that out before left
London" he answered.
There was nothing to say, but could
not help feeling a trif1e nervous.
But the work of setting up the thing
progressed rapidly.
Tubes were to be screwed together,
placed in position, and adjusted. Great
cans, hermetically sealed, were to be
carefully handled, lest their contents
escape through straining the package.
/ thought perhaps they contained some
ask questions. l was busy with
wrenches, screw-drivers, steel nippers
and muffled hammers.
The thing took shape. 1t grew. There
were canisIers for chemicals which Roed-
Ter would not allow me 10 handle
placing them himself with care and
caution. There were brass cylinders,
chests. caddies, coils of insulated wire
wrapped in silk and stored in glass
receivers. 1t was a marvel of me-
chanical construction. Butt was
eternally asking myself the ques-
tion: will 1t fly?"
eve must hurry" said Gwynne.
There are signs OF the moon over
Kunchinginga."
glanced up at the sky. A faint
silvery line was beginning to illumine
the farther peaks. We rbdoubled our
efforts. Thus far there had been no
indication of rising monk, or suggeS-
ton that our work had been dtscOv-
cred. Peacefully the lamas slept.
From time to time we were obliged
to stop, in order to warm our hands
over the flame of the smoking lamps.
1t WIS but temporary and very slight
relief, at best, but the nights in Tibet
are always cold, and the coldest part
OF the night is just before day.
But the moon was getting stronger.
higher. The snow was taking on
crimson tinge. The great walls OF
the gomba loomed black and lowering
in the paling of the peaks.
With a single skilled mechanic to
help him, Gwynne could have done
the work in half the time; but with
my unframed and laundering hands 1t
seemed eternal
Suddenly there rang out upon the
sir the sound of the rising bell. The
rusty. iron -throated monster could
have cursed it!
"Don't be discouraged! There's
plenty of time yet said Gwynne.
And, see, were nearly done
And 1t seemed so. for the mechan-
ism was all in place. 1t was the
superstructure alone that we were fit
ting. Then we would tumble in the
luggage-take our own places with
They're a lazy lot" said Roedler.
It'll really be some minutes yet be-
fore they stir; and when they find us
out, dear boy, We'll be up, up, above
the clouds. almost to the moon"
1 told him l hoped so, as l hurried
ahead with the work. The ship was
a beauty, and, to nv untutored eyes,
the perfection of form-the realization
of power.
on we worked silently, steadily. 1t
was nearly done. But there were
sounds of moving within. The earlier
and hunElier of the monks were afoot.
hoH 10 IN
"Pull that lever over to the last
notch and clench it," called Gwynne.
q trifle louder, perhaps. than was
necessary But 1t didn't matter much
row. The court yard would soon be
slive with the lamas. The news could
not be held much longer.
"Now bear a hand with the yellow
tube" he called again. mo, not there;
pass II over the blue one. So. Now
The orders were given quick and
fast. Sometimes / was right, some
times wrong.
Looking up. I caught sight of a
ing just above. near the upper end
of the yard.
Fer a minute they looked at US
stupidity, not appearing to understand
what was being done. Then sudden
" they turned and hurried into the
building
They'll be on US now in a minute"
called Roedler, who had also observ-
ed tnem. Holu Idut 10 lndt Illt' anu
see If It lifts the valve. Now, then
up with the luggage!"
We jumped to the work with vim,
tumbling in packages of every size
and description, helter-skelter The
last bundle was scarcely aboard when
] heard a shout, and, looking up, saw
fifty lamas running toward us.
'Now! Over the side! Quick as you
can" yelled Gwynne.
With a single bound 1 jumped
aboard
Hold fast, were going up" Al.
Gwynne pulled a lever-then al =
other-and another.
But the air ship did not bulge!