"But now we must get to work to repair
damage."
The hail storm had ceased, and, with the passing of the clouds the
cave was made lighter. But Tom did not depend on this, for he set up
powerful searchlights, by the gleams of which he and his companions
began the repairing of the torn gas-bag.
They worked all the remainder of that day, and were at it again
early the next morning, making good progress.
"We can go forward again, in about two days," spoke Tom. "I want to
give the cement on the patches plenty of chance to dry."
"Then I will have time to go out and make some observations, will I
not?" asked Mr. Parker. "I think this cave is a very old one, and I
may be able to find some evidences in it that the sea of ice is
slowly working its way down from the polar regions."
"I hope you don't," whispered Ned to Tom, who shook his head
dubiously as the gloomy scientist left the cave.
The weather was very cold, but, in the cavern it was hardly noticed.
The adventurers were warmly dressed, and when they did get chilly
from working over the airship, they had but to go into the well-
heated and cozy cabin to warm themselves.
It was on the third day of their habitation in the cave, and work on
putting the patches on the gas-bag was almost finished. Mr. Parker
had gone out to make further observations, his previous ones not
having satisfied him.
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