“I have a gun for each of us,” Mr. Henderson went on, “in case we should meet with enemies.  But we may not need them.  There is also the machine gun at the stern.”

Then the professor initiated his crew into the mysteries of the kitchen and dining room.  Nearly all the foods carried on the Monarch were of the condensed type.  A small capsule made a plate of soup.  There were other pills or capsules that held meat extracts, condensed cereals, tea, milk, coffee, sugar, salt, pepper and everything needed in the general eating line.  All the cooking was done by electricity.

As has been said, there was plenty of clothing to withstand the rigors of the arctic regions.  There was an abundance of gasolene for the engines and for heating the ship.  In short, Professor Henderson seemed to have forgotten nothing that would make his trip to the north pole a success.

After he had explained all he thought necessary, he told the two farm hands to see what they could do in the way of preparing a meal, as it was nearly noon, and everyone was hungry.  Rather awkwardly at first, Bill and Tom started in.  They soon got the knack of things, however, and once they had found out how to run the electric stove they were right at home making soups and other dishes from the condensed foods.  The first meal on the Monarch was voted a success.

Meanwhile the airship was sailing on.  It was not moving very rapidly, for the professor wanted to give the machinery a chance to warm up.  After the meal the inventor took the two boys into the steering tower with him, telling Washington to speed up the engines.

In a few minutes the boys were aware that they were moving forward at a faster pace.  The air, as it came in the opened window of the conning tower, rushed past with great force.

“I think we’ll go a little higher,” said Mr. Henderson.

He turned a small lever.  All at once the boys experienced a sensation as if they were in a rapidly ascending elevator.  Up and up they went, for the professor had admitted more gas to the big silk bag above them.

Suddenly the earth which the boys had dimly perceived below them as if it was a small map in a big geography, faded out of sight.  At the same instant there was a sudden moisture and chilliness to the air.  Then a dense white mist enveloped the Monarch.

“Oh!” cried Mark.  “What has happened?”

“We are going through a cloud!” called the professor.  So dense was the vapor that the boys, though within five feet of the captain, could not see him.  His voice sounded far off.

Then came a sudden rush of light.  The mist cleared away.  The boys could see clearly, but as they glanced down they noticed rolling masses of white below them.

“We are above the clouds!” said the professor.  “Be careful not to exert yourselves, as it is hard to breathe in this rarefied or thin atmosphere.”