a mile above
the earth, and shooting along at fifty miles an hour. So easy was the
motion of the Abaris, and so evenly and smoothly did she glide along,
due to the automatic action of the gyroscope stabilizer, that it really
seemed as if they were standing still--floating between heaven and
earth.

Of course there was the subdued hum of the great propellers outside,
and the throb of the powerful gasolene motor, but that was all that
gave an idea of the immense force contained in the airship.

From time to time Lieutenant McBride made notes for future use. He had
to report officially to the war department just how this type of
airship behaved under any and all circumstances. Then, too, he was
interested personally, for he had taken up aviation with great
enthusiasm, and as there were not many army men in it, so far, he stood
a good chance for advancement.

"The possibilities of aeroplanes in time of war are only beginning to
be understood," he said. "Of course there has been a lot of foolish
talk about them, and probably they will not be capable of doing all
that has been claimed for them, as yet. But they will be of immense
value for scouting purposes, if for nothing else. In rugged and
mountainous countries, an aviator will be under no difficulties at all,
and can, by hovering over the enemy's camp, get an idea of the
defenses, and report back.

"Thus it will be possible to map out a plan of attack with every chance
of success. There will be no time lost, and lives may be saved from
useless exposure."

"Do you think airships will ever carry light artillery, or drop bombs
on an enemy?" asked Dick.

"Well, you could carry small artillery aboard here if you didn't have
so much company," answered the army man. "It is all a question of
weight and size. However, I believe, for the present, the most
valuable aid airships will render will be in the way of scouting. But I
don't want to see a war just for the sake of using our airships.
Though it is well to be prepared to take advantage of their peculiar
usefulness."

After supper they prepared to spend their first night aboard the
airship on her prize-winning attempt. They decided to cut down the
speed a little.

"Not that there's much danger of hitting anything," Dick explained,
"though possibly Uncle Ezra and Larson might come up behind and crash
into us. But at slower speed the machinery is not so strained, and
there is less likelihood of an accident."