water."

The hydroplanes, which were attached to the airship near the points
where the starting wheels were made fast, could be lowered into place
by means of levers in the cabin. The hydroplanes were really
water-tight hollow boxes, large and buoyant enough to sustain the
airship on the surface of the water. They could be lowered to a point
where they were beneath the bicycle wheels, and were fitted with
toggle-jointed springs to take up the shock.

Lieutenant McBride took out his watch, and with pad and pencil prepared
to note the exact moment when the airship should reach the surface of
the lake.

"I shall have to take official notice of this," he said. "It
constitutes your first landing, though perhaps it would be more correct
to call it a watering. As soon as you are afloat, your elapsed time
will begin, and it will count until you are in the air again. You will
probably be some time making repairs."

"No longer than we can help," said Dick. "I don't want Uncle Ezra, or
anybody else, to get ahead of me."

Down and down sank the Abaris, on her first descent from the cloud-land
since her auspicious start. But, as Dick admitted, it might be worse.
The accident itself was a comparatively slight one.

"Get ready, everybody!" called Mr. Vardon, as he saw that, in a few
seconds more, they would be on the surface of the water.

"Do you fear something will go wrong?" asked Larry, quickly.

"Well, we've never tried the hydroplanes in rough water, and there is
always the chance for an accident. Stand out where you can jump, if
you have to," he directed.

Lieutenant McBride was standing with his watch out, ready to note the
exact second of landing. He knew he must be officially correct, though
he would give Dick every possible chance and favor.

"Here we go!" came the cry from the aviator. "Only a few seconds now!"

They could plainly see the heaving waters of the big lake. Fortunately
it was comparatively calm, though once she had landed the airship could
stand some rough weather afloat.

Splash! went the hydroplanes into the water. The springs took up the
shock and strain, and the next moment Dick's craft was floating easily
on the great lake. The landing had been made without an accident to
mar it.

"Good!" cried Lieutenant McBride, as he jotted down the time. "Do you
know how long you have been, so far, Dick, on the trip?"

"How long?"

"Just thirty-five hours, four minutes and eight second