e knew his business when
it came to airships. In some matters even his superior officer,
Captain Grantley, deferred to the judgment of Larson.

"You won't have to do a thing," went on the lieutenant to Dick. "Just
sit still, and, above all, no matter what happens, don't touch any of
the wheels or levers."

"No, that might wreck us," added the captain.

"We'll manipulate the machine, at the same time telling you, and
showing you, how to do it. In time you will run it yourself, with us
looking on, and I believe it is the intention of Colonel Masterly to
have you cadets finally operate a machine on your own responsibility."

"I hope I may learn to do so," spoke Dick, "for I'm going to have a
craft of my own."

"Are you indeed?" asked the captain, interestedly. "It's rather an
expensive pleasure--not like automobiling."

"Well, luckily or not, I happen to have plenty of money," said Dick.
"I'm going to have quite a large machine built."

Was it fancy, or did Lieutenant Larson look at Dick with peculiar
meaning in his rather shifty eyes. Dick, however, was too much
occupied in the coming flight to pay much attention to this.

"If you're going to have a machine, perhaps you're going to have a try
for the twenty thousand dollar prize," suggested Captain Grantly, as he
tested the gasolene and spark levers, and looked at several
turn-buckles which tightened the guy wires.

"Well, I have about decided to," answered Dick, looking over at the
other aircraft, in which Paul Drew was to make an ascent.

"Jove! I wish I had that chance!" exclaimed Larson. "I'm sure, with my
mercury balancer I could--"

"There you go again!" cried Captain Grantly. "I tell you your idea is
all wrong about that balancer! Wing warping is the only proper way."

"But that isn't automatic, and what is needed is an automatic balancer
or equilibrizer," insisted the lieutenant.

"Well, we won't discuss it now," went on the captain. "Are you all
ready, Mr. Hamilton?"

"All ready, yes, sir."

The captain and Lieutenant Larson took their places, one on either side
of Dick. Some of the orderlies at the Academy had been detailed to
assist in the start, holding back on the biplane until the engine had
attained the necessary speed.

There was an arrangement whereby the machine could be held in leash, as
it were, by a rope, and when the necessary pressure developed from the
propeller blades, the rope could be loosed from the aviator's seat.