ontestants.

CHAPTER XXII

UNCLE EZRA STARTS OFF

Let us now, for a moment, return to Uncle Ezra. We left him sitting on
the ground after his rather unceremonious exit from the airship which
had crashed into the apple tree in the orchard. Somehow the strap,
holding him to his seat, had come unbuckled, which accounted for his
plight.

"Are you hurt?" asked Lieutenant Larson, after a quick glance that
assured him the airship was not badly damaged.

"I don't know's I'm hurt such a terrible lot," was the slow answer,
"but my clothes are all dirt. This suit is plumb ruined now. I swan
I'd never have gone in for airships if I knew how expensive they'd be.
This suit cost thirteen dollars and--"

"You're lucky you don't have to pay for a funeral," was the
lieutenant's grim answer. "You must look to your seat strap better
than that."

"Well, I didn't know the blamed thing was going to cut up like this!"
returned the crabbed old man. "That's no way to land."

"I know it. But I couldn't help it," was the answer. "I'm glad you're
not hurt. But I think we have attracted some attention. Here comes
someone."

A man was running through the orchard.

"It's Hank Crittenden, and he hates me like poison!" murmured Uncle
Ezra, as he arose from the pile of dirt, and tried to get some of it
off his clothes.

"Hi, there! What's this mean?" demanded Hank, as he rushed up,
clutching a stout club. "What d'ye mean, comin' down in my orchard,
and bustin' up my best Baldwin tree? What d'ye mean?"

"It was an accident--purely an accident," said Lieutenant Larson,
suavely. "It could not be helped."

"Accident? You done it on puppose, that's what you did!" cried Hank,
glaring at Uncle Ezra. "You done it on puppose, and I'll sue ye for
damages, that's what I'll do! That Baldwin apple tree was one of the
best in my orchard."

"Well, we didn't mean to do it," declared Mr. Larabee. "And if you sue
we can prove in court it was an accident. So you'll have your trouble
for your pains."

"I will, hey? Well, I'll show you, Ezra Larabee. I'll teach you to
come around here bustin' my things up with your old airship! You ought
to be ashamed of yourself, a man of your age, trying to fly like a hen
or rooster."

"I'm trying for the government prize," said Dick's uncle, weakly.

"Huh! A heap sight chance YOU have of winnin' a prize, flyin' like
that!" sneered Mr. Crittenden. "Comin' down in my orchard that way!"

"I