pole is nigh worn out. I believe it'll break in a
minute."

"If it breaks we'll move straight an' get rid o' this side weight, won't
we?"

"Yes--but goodness only knows where we'll fly to."

"Why--ain't Mr. Droop there? If the side weight goes, he can get into
the engine-room an' let us down easy."

"That's so!" cried Phoebe. "Oh, won't it be grand to stand still a
minute after all this traipsin' around and around! Mr. Droop," she
continued, "do you hear? You'd better be gettin' ready to take hold an'
stop the Panchronicon, 'cause we're goin' to break loose in half no
time."

There was no reply. Nor could any calling or pleading elicit an answer.
Droop had yielded to his thirst and was again sleeping the sleep of the
unregenerate.

"Oh, Rebecca, what-- Oh--oo--oo!"

There was a loud scream from both the sisters as the iron ring, worn
through by long rubbing, finally snapped asunder.

The tremendous pressure was suddenly lifted, and the two women were
free.

With a single impulse, they flew toward the kitchen door and fell into
each other's arms.

The Panchronicon had gone off at a tangent at last!

"Oh, Rebecca--Rebecca!" cried Phoebe, in tears. "I was afraid I'd
never see you again!"

Rebecca cried a little too, and patted her sister's shoulder in silence
a moment.

"There, deary!" she said, after awhile. "Now let's set down an' hev a
good cup o' tea. Then we can go to bed comfortable."

"But, Rebecca," said Phoebe, stepping back and wiping her eyes, "what
shall we do about the Panchronicon? We're jest makin' fer Infinite
Space, or somewheres, as fast as we can go."

"Can't help it, Phoebe. Ye sha'n't touch a thing in that engine-room
this day--not while I'm here. Ye might blow us up the nex' time. No--I
guess we'll jest hev to trust in the Lord. He brought us into this
pickle, an' it's fer Him to see us out of it."

With this comforting reflection the two sisters brewed a pot of tea,
and after partaking of the refreshing decoction, went to their
respective beds.

"I declare, I'm dog tired!" said Rebecca.

"So'm I," said Phoebe.

Those were their last words for many hours.

CHAPTER VII

NEW TIES AND OLD RELATIONS

How long they slept after their extraordinary experience with the
runaway air-ship neither Rebecca nor Phoebe ever knew; but when they
awoke all was still, and it was evidently dark outside, for no ray of
light found its way past the hangings they had placed over their