good!"

"I wouldn't try under any other conditions," replied Dick.

The last tuning-up of the motor was over. The last of the supplies and
stores were put aboard. Grit was in his place, and the cross-country
fliers in theirs. Good-byes were said, and Mr. Hamilton waved the
Stars and Stripes as the cabin door was closed.

"All ready?" asked Dick, who was the captain of the aircraft.

"All ready," answered Lieutenant McBride.

"All ready," agreed Mr. Vardon.

"Then here we go!" cried Dick, as he pulled the lever. The airship was
on her way to the starting point.

CHAPTER XVIII

UNCLE EZRA FLIES

"Well, Mr. Larabee, we are almost ready for a flight."

"Humph! It's about time. I've sunk almost enough money in that
shebang to dig a gold mine, and I haven't got any out yet--not a cent,
and I'm losing interest all the while."

"Well, but think of the twenty thousand dollars!"

"Yes, I s'pose I've got to. That's the only consolation I have left."

The above conversation took place one afternoon between Ezra Larabee
and Lieutenant Larson. The airship with the mercury stabilizers was
nearly completed. But a few touches remained to be put on her, to make
her, according to Larson, ready for the flight across the continent.

"I presume you will go with me when me make the first ascent; will you
not?" the lieutenant inquired.

"Who, me? No, I don't reckon I'll go up first," said Uncle Ezra
slowly. "I'll wait until I see if you don't break your neck. If you
don't I'll take a chance."

"That's consoling," was the answer, with a grim laugh. "But I am not
afraid. I know the craft will fly. You will not regret having
commissioned me to build her."

"Wa'al, I should hope not," said Uncle Ezra, dryly. "So far I've put
eight thousand, four hundred thirty-two dollars and sixteen cents into
this shebang, and I ain't got a penny out yet. It just seems to chaw
up money."

"They all do," said the lieutenant. "It is a costly sport. But think
of the twenty-thousand-dollar prize!"

"I do," said Uncle Ezra, softly. "That's all that keeps me from
thinking what a plumb idiot I've been--thinking of that twenty thousand
dollars."

"Oh, you'll get it!" the lieutenant asserted.

"Maybe--yes. If my nephew doesn't get ahead of me," was the grim reply.

"Oh, he never will. We'll win that prize," the lieutenant assured him.
"Now there's one other little matter I must speak of. I need some more
money."