But when they
got it to the bank the problem arose as to how they were going to drag
it up the steep acclivity.

Again and again they tried; Bess, who had by this time alighted, aiding
them. But it was all to no purpose. Even their united strength failed to
move the heavy apparatus.

"I've got an idea!" shouted Jimsy suddenly, during a pause in their
laborious operations.

"Good! Don't let it get away, I beg of you!" implored Peggy.

"Oh, Peg! Don't tease, besides, you don't look a bit cute with your hair
all wet and draggled, and as for your dress--goodness!"

This came from Jess, herself sadly "rumpled" and in addition wet
through. Before Peggy could reply to her chum's half rallying remark
Jimsy, unabashed, continued:

"We'll hitch this rope to the _Red Dragon_ and then start her up for all
she's worth."

"Jimsy, you're a genius!"

"A modern marvel!"

"A solid promontory of pure gray matter!"

In turn the remarks came from each of the party. But Jimsy, bothering
not at all at the laughing encomiums, proceeded to secure the rope to
the _Red Dragon_. This done, he started up the engine and clambered into
his seat.

"All ashore that's going ashore!" he yelled, in mocking imitation of the
stewards of an ocean liner.

There wasn't an instant's hesitation as he threw the load upon the
engine. Then the rope tautened. It grew tight as a fiddle string.

"Goodness! It'll snap and the _Dragon_ will be broken!" cried Jess,
in alarm.

But no such thing happened. Instead, as the _Dragon's_ powerful
propeller blades "bit" into the air, the _Golden Butterfly_ obediently
mounted the steep bank of the pond. Five minutes later the pretty craft
stood on dry land and the party of young aviators were eagerly making
an investigation of the damage done.

The cause of the fire was soon found. A tiny leak in the tank had
allowed some gasoline to drip into the bottom of the chassis, or
passenger carrier. Collecting here, it was plain that a back fire
from the carburetor had ignited it.

Neither of the girls could repress a shudder as they thought of what
might have occurred had they been higher in the air and no convenient
pond handy for them to drop into. In such a case the flames might have
reached the gasoline tank before they could be extinguished and
inevitably a fearful explosion would have followed.

"I think you are the two luckiest girls in the world," declared Roy
solemnly, as he concluded his examination and