“By that time those men will be dead, if they are not lifeless already,” answered Jerry solemnly.
It was a trying situation. To be within sight of the men they wanted to save, to be near Mr. Jackson, on whom so much depended, and yet not able to reach him and his companions, was tantalizing. Yet they all recognized the truth of what Jerry said. It would be death for them all to venture nearer.
Professor Snodgrass, who had been curiously sniffing the air, as though to determine the nature of the gas, suddenly gave an exclamation.
“Boys, I think I have it!” he cried eagerly. “I am not sure, but I think I know the composition of the gas used in the bag of that balloon. If I am right, I can easily manufacture, from the chemicals I have, something that will neutralize it.”
“I will, at once! Though I am not sure it will work. If it does, all that will be necessary to do will be to saturate a handkerchief with the solution I will make, tie the cloth over our mouth and nose, and then all the gas breathed through it will be harmless.”
“That’s just what we need!” exclaimed Jerry.
The professor lost no time in getting to work. He mixed up various chemicals in a flask, heated them, and then wet a handkerchief in the liquid. Binding the cloth over his nose and mouth, he went out to breathe the air, which was still slightly laden with the poisonous fumes. The professor inhaled deeply.
“I think it does,” was the reply. “We will have to go nearer to make sure.”
It did not take long for all to adjust the wet handkerchiefs over their mouths and noses. Jerry then started the propellers, and once more the _Comet_ approached the _Manhattan_. Could they come close enough to make the rescue, and still be safe themselves? Each breath they drew would soon tell the story.
“I can’t smell or breathe any gas!” mumbled Ned, for the handkerchief interfered with speaking.
“It’s all right!” declared the professor. “We can go as close as we wish, but we can’t stay long, for the chemical will soon evaporate. Work lively, boys!”
It was only a few minutes more before the _Comet_ was close beside the disabled balloon. The latter was a large craft, and was floating easily along, her machinery silent. Silent, too, and motionless, were the five men who constituted the pilot and crew. In various attitudes they were stretched in the open cabin, as if they had struggled there for air. It could not yet be told whether they were dead or alive.