have a muffler on his airship, and also more room to move about.
He intended to make rather a long flight.

The deflecting rudder was tilted downward, and the descent began.
They were some distance out from the Kentfield grounds now, but were
headed for them on a long slant. Dick wondered if they would reach
them.

At a nod from the captain, Lieutenant Larson reached up and shut off
the motor. The sudden silence was startling.

Dick understood what was to be done. They were to glide, or as it
is called "volplane" (pronounced vol-pla-nay, with the accent on
the last syllable) to the ground.

"I hope we make it safely," mused Dick. But it did not look as
though they had been near enough the landing place when the motor
was cut off. Dick saw the two army men glance rather apprehensively
at one another. Was something wrong?

Dick was sure of it a moment later when, as Captain Grantly pulled
the lever of the deflecting rudder toward him, there was a snapping,
breaking sound.

"Lost control!" cried the captain. "Wire snapped! Look out,
everybody!"

Dick wanted to jump, but he knew that would be rash, as they were
still some distance above the ground.