ncertain.

The time was drawing near when Dick was to make his start in the
cross-country flight, with but two landings allowed between New York
and San Francisco. Nearly everything was in readiness.

"Mr. Vardon," said Dick one day, "this business of crossing a continent
in an airship is a new one on me. I've done it in my touring car, but
I confess I don't see how we're going to keep on the proper course, up
near the clouds, with no landmarks or anything to guide us.

"But I'm going to leave all that to you. We're in your hands as far as
that goes. You'll have to guide the craft, or else tell us how to
steer when it comes our turn at the wheel."

"I have been studying this matter," the aviator replied. "I have made
several long flights, but never across the continent. But I have
carefully charted a course for us to follow. As for landmarks, the
government has arranged that.

"Along the course, in as nearly as possible a bee-line from New York to
San Francisco, there will be captive balloons, painted white for day
observation, and arranged with certain colored lanterns, for
night-sighting. Then, too, there will be pylons, or tall towers of
wood, erected where there are no balloons. So I think we can pick our
course, Dick."

"Oh, I didn't know about the balloon marks," said the young
millionaire. "Well, I'll leave the piloting to you. I think you know
how to do it."

Several more trial flights were made. Each time the Abaris seemed to
do better. She was more steady, and in severe tests she stood up well.
The gyroscope stabilizer worked to perfection under the most
disadvantageous conditions.

Several little changes were made to insure more comfort for the
passengers on the trip. Dick's undertaking had attracted considerable
attention, as had the plans of several other, and better-known
aviators, to win the big prize. The papers of the country were filled
with stories of the coming event, but Larry Dexter had perhaps the best
accounts, as he was personally interested in Dick's success.

Dick paid another visit to Uncle Ezra, and this time his crabbed
relative was more genial. He allowed his nephew to have a view of the
craft Larson was building. The former lieutenant greeted Dick coldly,
but our hero thought little of that. He was more interested in the
machine.

Dick found that his uncle really did have a large, and apparently very
serviceable biplane. Of course it was not like Dick's, as