and of the Czar from the western
coast above Manchuria. But he preferred to take the Atlantic route,
crossing Europe, and so sailing over Russia proper to get to his
destination. There were several reasons for this.

The water voyage was somewhat shorter, and this was an important
consideration when there was no telling when he might have an accident
that would compel him to descend. On the Atlantic he knew there would
be more ships to render assistance if it was needed, although he hoped
he would not have to ask for it.

"Then, too," he said to Ned, when they were discussing the matter, "we
will have a chance to see some civilized countries if we cross Europe,
and we may land near Paris."

"Paris!" cried Ned. "What for?"

"To renew our supply of gasolene, for one thing," replied the young
inventor. "Not that we will be out when we arrive, but if we take on
more there we may not have to get any in Russia. Besides, they have a
very good quality in France, so all told, I think the route over Europe
to be the best."

Ned agreed with him, and so did Mr. Petrofsky. As for Mr. Damon, he was
so busy getting his sleeping room in order, and blessing everything he
could think of, that he did not have time to talk much. So the eastern
route was decided on, and as the big airship, carrying our friends,
their supplies, and the wonderful air glider rose higher and higher,
Tom gradually brought her around so that the pointed nose of the gas
bag aimed straight across the Atlantic.

They were over the ocean on the second day out, for Tom did not push
the craft to her limit of speed, now they had time to consider matters
at their leisure, for they had been rather hurried on leaving.

The machinery was working as nearly to perfection as it could be
brought, and Tom, after finding out that his craft would answer equally
well as a dirigible balloon or an aeroplane, let it sail along as the
latter.

"For," he said, "we have a long trip ahead of us and we need to save
all the elevating gas we can save. If worst comes to worst, and we
can't navigate as an aeroplane any more, we can even drift along as a
dirigible. But while we have the gasolene we might as well make speed
and be an aeroplane."

The others agreed with him, and so it was arranged. Tom, when he had
seen to it that his craft was working well, let Ned take charge and
devoted himself to seeing that all the stores and supplies were in
order for quick use.

Of course, un