m to do this. "Go see if you can make out who she is, Dick."

The approaching craft had come up from the rear, and to one side, so
she could not be observed from the pilot-house in front.

Catching up a pair of powerful field-glasses, Dick went to where Paul
stood with Grit, looking out of the celluloid window. By this time
some of the others had also gathered there.

"It's a big machine all right," murmured Innis.

"And there are three aviators in her," added Paul.

"Can you make out who they are, Dick?" asked Larry Dexter.

"No, they have on protecting helmets and goggles," replied the young
millionaire, as he adjusted the binoculars to his vision. "But I'm
sure I know that machine!"

"Whose is it?" Innis wanted to know.

"Well, I don't want to be too positive, but I'm pretty certain that's
my Uncle Ezra's craft," replied Dick, slowly.

"Great Scott!" cried Paul. "Is it possible? Oh, it's possible all
right," Dick made answer, "but I did not think he would really take
part in this race. However, he seems to have done so. I can't make
him out, but that's just the shape of his airship, I can tell by the
mercury stabilizer Larson has put on."

"Well, it looks as if we'd have a race," observed Mr. Vardon.

"He sure is speeding on," mused Dick.

"But he may be away behind his schedule," put in Larry.

"That won't make any difference," the young millionaire said. "He
started after we did, and if he gets to San Francisco ahead of us, and
with only two landings, he'll win the prize. That stands to reason.
He's making better time than we are."

Mr. Vardon took the glasses from Dick, and made a long observation.
When he lowered them he remarked:

"I think that is the craft Larson built, all right. And it certainly
is a speedy one. He must have met more favorable conditions, of late,
than we did, or he never could have caught up to us."

"I guess so," agreed Dick. "Now the point is; What can we do?"

"Speed up--that's the only thing I see to do," came from the aviator.
"We still have one landing left us, but we don't need to use it unless
we have to. We have fuel and oil enough for the trip to San Francisco.
Speed up, I say, and let's see if we can't get away from him."

"We've got a heavier machine, and more weight aboard," spoke Dick.

"Say, can't you drop us off?" cried Paul. "That would lighten you a
whole lot. Let Innis and me go!"

"I'll drop off, too, if it will help any," Larry Dexte