straight path, and the professor,
coming back to the engine room, cried:

"She answers her helm perfectly. It certainly is a success in every way!
But now, since the machinery is working well, and I have the _Monarch_
headed due north, in which direction she will sail alone for a while, I
want you boys to come into the dining room, while we talk over matters
with our unexpected visitors. We must lay plans and divide up the work
of running the ship."

Jack and Mark went with the old man into the middle room of the craft.
There they found the old hunter and the two farm hands. None of the
three had quite gotten over his fright at being suddenly carried off
through the air.

"Everything has turned out for the best," the inventor began. "I feared
my forced start would spoil my plans, but you see I got a crew almost at
the last moment. Now we will--"

He was interrupted by a sudden cry from the engine room.

"Help! Help!" rang out the voice of the colored man. "Hurry up an'
help, Perfessor. I'm caught in some cantankerous conglomeration an' I'm
bein' killed! Help! Help!"

Followed by the boys and the three men the old inventor hastened aft,
alarm showing on his face.

CHAPTER VII

HELD BY ELECTRICITY

As they reached the engine room they saw a queer sight. Washington was
close to the buzzing dynamo which he had started to oil. His hands
grasped two large copper switches used to turn the current on and off.

"Let go and come away from there!" cried Mr. Henderson.

"I can't! I'se stuck fast!" yelled the negro, writhing in pain.

Andy Sudds started on the jump to assist the unfortunate man.

"Don't touch him!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "He's held fast by
electricity! If you attempt to pull him away with your bare hands you'll
be caught just as he is! Wait a minute!"

The inventor rapidly opened a locker. From it he took out a pair of
rubber gloves. Putting these on he hurried to where the negro was still
squirming in pain and terror.

"Help! Help!" Washington yelled. "I'm burning up!"

"Wait a moment! I'll save you!" shouted the captain of the _Monarch_.
The next instant he reached up, and turned off the electric current.
Washington fell in a limp heap on the floor of the engine room. He was
freed from the grip of the electricity that had held him as in a vise.
The professor ran to a medicine closet and got a remedy which he
administered to the unfortunate one.

In a little while the colored man wa