time having to navigate on the water, a small
auxiliary rudder had been attached to Dick's craft. This rudder went
down into the water, and would be used in steering in conjunction with
those used when she was in the air.

This wooden rudder was now dropped into the water, tested, and found to
answer properly to the lever which, in the pilot-house, controlled it
by means of wire ropes.

"Well, let her go!" cried Dick, "and we'll see what sort of luck we'll
have."

"Which way?" asked Mr. Vardon, who was at the wheel.

"Why not head for Chicago?" suggested Lieutenant McBride. "We can't be
a great way from there, according to the map, and that would be a good
place to make the new start from."

"I think it would be," agreed Dick, "if that would be covering the
conditions of the contest."

"Well, you can easily travel back enough to make up any shortage in
miles," the army man went on. "You still have plenty of time."

So this was agreed to, and, after a look over the craft to make sure
there were no defects, Mr. Vardon pulled over the lever of the starting
motor.

With a hum and a buzz, the propellers started, and this time the Abaris
shot forward on the surface of the water, instead of up into the air.

"She's going!" cried Paul.

"She sure is doing it!" yelled Innis.

"Yes, I think she's as successful on the waves as he was in the
clouds," agreed Dick, as he looked at a speed-measuring gage. "We're
hitting up forty miles an hour right now."

"And that's good speed for a craft of this size in the water, or,
rather, on top of the water," declared Lieutenant McBride.

For a hydroplane craft, as you probably know, does not go through the
water as a motor-boat does. A regular hydroplane is fitted with a
series of graduated steps, and the front of the boat rises as it skims
over the water. But all hydroplane craft are designed to slip over the
surface of the water, and not to cleave through it. And it was the
former that Dick's craft was doing.

Faster and faster speed was attained, until there could be no question
about the second success of the young millionaire's airship. If ever
occasion should require that he take to the water, in an emergency, it
could be done.

"And now for Chicago!" Dick cried, when several hours had been spent in
maneuvering about, each member of the party taking turns at steering.
"And I think we'll go up in the air for that trip," he added.

"There's an aero club in the