I congratulated him on his success, and told him I was ready to go anywhere away from the fog and gloom of the city. We embraced each other, and despite my warning, sent up three cheers for the air ship. I had never seen Torrence so elated about anything in my life; indeed it was contagious, for I was almost as happy as he was. "And you are sure there will be no hitch?" I said, fearing the news was almost too good. "Sure! Haven’t I tried her? We have taken out the end of old Wetherbee’s barn, and I sailed out over the fields alone. I ran her myself the other night, through the darkness and fog when no one could see. There were then a few slight changes to make for absolute control which have since been completed. Last night I had her out again through the river fogs when every one was asleep below, and, as I have just told you, she is simply perfect! Oh, Gurt, you don’t know what it is to float aloft out of reach of everyone. Fortunately the fields were deserted, and the air too thick for a man to see more than fifty yards, even had it been day, otherwise I should have frightened some of those Gravesender’s to death. And I had a nice time, too, in finding my way back to the barn, despite the red and green lights I had hung out for signals!" Torrence danced around the room. "Suppose she should drop with all aboard!" I suggested. "Drop! She can’t. The thing’s impossible so long as the current is—but what’s the use of my explaining to you? She can no more drop than you can fly." "But suppose she did," I persisted. "Well, such a thing can’t possibly happen, unless the current is turned off too suddenly, and if it did, nobody would be hurt, because the pneumatic buffers on her bottom would make the contact with earth scarcely more than perceptible. No, my dear fellow, she can’t go up, or she can’t come down until I want her to, but when I do, up or down she goes. In short she is under absolute control. When the current is at the neutralizing point it is as natural for the air ship to float in the upper atmosphere as for you to walk on dry land, or a fish to swim. Don’t be uneasy. I tell you I have mastered the secret of aerial navigation." I had to be satisfied, and was really full of confidence in Terry’s ability. "Do you propose to make a long journey to begin with?" I inquired. "Yes," said Torrence, "a very extended one, as you will see for yourself. I have had her stocked with enough provisions to run this hotel, figuratively speaking, for a year, and all manner of other necessaries; in fact, we shall be supplied with all the luxuries of life. You won’t mind going with me, old man, will you, and letting me act as your pilot?" "To be sure not; but when shall we be off?" "Very soon. But you must not say a word to any one. Remember our movements are not to be known. Have I your word?" I promised; but why he demanded this I was at a loss to guess.