To Rob's horror and consternation the big Turk began to rise slowly into the air, while a howl of fear burst from the crowd.  But the boy made a mighty spring and caught the Turk by his foot, clinging to it with desperate tenacity, while they both mounted steadily upward until they were far above the city of the desert.
The big Turk screamed pitifully at first, and then actually fainted away from fright.  Rob was much frightened, on his part, for he knew if his hands slipped from their hold he would fall to his death. Indeed, one hand was slipping already, so he made a frantic clutch and caught firmly hold of the Turk's baggy trousers.  Then, slowly and carefully, he drew himself up and seized the leather belt that encircled the man's waist.  This firm grip gave him new confidence, and he began to breathe more freely.
He now clung to the body of the Turk with both legs entwined, in the way he was accustomed to cling to a tree-trunk when he climbed after cherries at home.  He had conquered his fear of falling, and took time to recover his wits and his strength.
They had now reached such a tremendous height that the city looked like a speck on the desert beneath them.  Knowing he must act quickly, Rob seized the dangling left arm of the unconscious Turk and raised it until he could reach the dial of the traveling machine.  He feared to unclasp the machine just then, for two reasons: if it slipped from his grasp they would both plunge downward to their death; and he was not sure the machine would work at all if in any other position than fastened to the left wrist.