"Hadn't we better look out?" asked Mark.

"I'm not afraid," replied the professor. "I will be too busy the next
few days, repairing the break, to think of anything else. Besides,
what would they want to harm us for? Didn't we save their lives?"

Seeing the scientist placed no faith in what the mate had said, Mark
went back to his task.

It soon became too dark to work, and it was decided, after supper, to
halt the ship until morning as it would be less risky.

Mark did not sleep well, his dreams being disturbed by visions of
pirates and black flags. But morning came and nothing had developed.
The men seemed to recover their spirits with daybreak, and mast of the
crew, after breakfast, greeted Mr. Henderson pleasantly, and asked to
be allowed to help fix the ship.

It took the skilled labor of the professor, Washington and the boys to
mend the break, and, even at that, it was four days in the repairing.
But at last the final bolt was in place, and the Mermaid was able to
resume her trips through the air.

"We will rise the first thing in the morning," said the professor to
Mark and Jack that night. "I am anxious to see how the ship behaves
with a big load aboard."

CHAPTER IX

THE MUTINY