The Wondership was driven in the air and on land and water by the same power, the gas from the storage chamber which formed the lower section of the cylinder. But to fit her for her new work extra powerful engines had been installed, and a propeller of different pattern added. The propeller-shaft was connected to the motor through a water-tight stuffing box, as on a motor boat. The rudder lines, too, led through water-tight connections to the steering wheel. The aerial rudder, being of light metal like the propeller, was capable of use both in the air and water. In place of the old driving mechanism, too, the boys had simplified the Flying Road Racer by their new form of propeller. This did away with the cumbrous connections and clutches to the rear axle. The new form of propeller drew the Wondership along the roads almost as swiftly as it pulled her through the air .
as readers of earlier volumes of this series know, they both lived at High Towers, the estate of Jack’s father, near Nestorville. Jack’s father was an inventor of note, and in our first story, “The Boy Inventors’ Wireless Triumph,” it was described how the boys aided him in many stirring adventures in Yucatan and in the discovery of Tom Jesson’s long missing father, an explorer and naturalist. Since that time Mr. Jesson had made his home with his brother-in-law who, like himself, was a widower. The next volume detailed how Jack and Tom helped an inventor in trouble, and how, after many perils and difficulties, a wonderful vanishing gun was at length brought to perfection in spite of the machinations of a gang of rascals. This volume was called “The Boy Inventors’ Vanishing Gun joyetech egrip vt.”
The third volume has already been referred to. It told how the boys had many exciting times under the ocean and on the surface. The Peacemaker was a wonderful craft and proved of material aid to some Americans beleaguered by blood-thirsty negro revolutionists in Cuba. Through the experiences related in this book both the boys increased their mechanical ability and learned self-reliance and manliness in many a hard test of both those sterling qualities. Had this not been so, it is doubtful if they would ever have had the grit to bring to a triumphant conclusion the construction of the Wondership, beset as their way was oftentimes by apparently insurmountable difficulties. But now, as we know, the Wondership lay finished before them. Already they had tested her in flight to ascertain how she bore the added weight. It was this trial, on which she carried side lights, like a ship, that had caused the flurry in the city papers. It had been a complete success, and only the trial by water remained seo hk.
Although Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Jesson knew that the boys were engaged on a supreme task, neither had interfered or asked questions. Jack’s father believed in letting his son solve his own problems. He knew that if occasion arose his advice would be called for. But the boys meant to fight out their battle alone. Even the test to take place that evening was to be unwitnessed, or so they hoped. Not till all was an assured success did they intend to invite their parents to inspect their work.
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