in get them pigs together," grumbled the
farmer, as he pocketed Dick's money.

"You can put in a requisition for this, I suppose," suggested the
lieutenant. "I don't know whether Uncle Sam ought to reimburse you, or
we, personally."

"Don't mention it!" exclaimed Dick. "I'm always willing to pay for
damages, though I suppose if my Uncle Ezra Larabee was here he'd haggle
with that farmer and make him throw in a pig or two for luck."

"Who is Uncle Ezra Larabee?" asked the lieutenant, curiously.

"A relative of mine," answered Dick. "Rather 'close' as regards money."

"Is he rich?"

"Yes, quite wealthy, but you'd never know it. He lives in Dankville,
and he and my dog Grit never can get along together. He hates Grit and
I guess Grit doesn't love him. But shall we try to get this machine
out of the shed?"

"I guess it's the best thing to do, now that the pigs are out of the
way," agreed the captain.

And, while the farmer and his hired man were chasing after the escaped
pigs, the army officers and Dick began extricating the airship. The
splintered boards of the pig-shed were pulled to one side, and then it
was seen that, aside from a broken landing wheel, little damage had
been done. The engine was not harmed in the least and the snapped wire
that had prevented the rudder being set to make a proper landing, was
easy to splice.

"And, as we've got a spare wheel we can put that on and soon start
back," said the lieutenant.

"Say, this is getting off better than even in an automobile accident,"
spoke Dick, with a laugh. "I didn't know you carried spare parts."

"We do the wheels, as they are very light," the captain said. "Now
let's roll her out and see what we can do."

The smashed wheel was removed from the axle, and the spare one
substituted. The broken wire was repaired and the aeroplane was now
about the same as before. It was rolled to a level place, and the
motor tested. It ran perfectly.

The farmer, having collected all his pigs, and perhaps feeling joyful
because of the fifty dollars in his pocket, agreed to "hold back" on
the craft, to steady it until the necessary speed of the motor had been
attained. His hired man helped him.

Just as the captain was about to give the word to "let go" the other
airship was seen coming to look for the missing one. But there was now
no need of assistance, and, a moment later, Dick and his companions
again arose in the air.

A quick return was made