inquired Mr. Jackson.

"No, I think I'll send the airship on ahead to some point in
Washington--say Seattle," replied Tom, "put it together there, and
start for the Snow Mountains. In Seattle we can get plenty of
supplies and stores. It will be a good point to start from, and will
save us a long, and perhaps dangerous, flight across the United
States."

"I think that will be the best plan," agreed Mr. Swift. "But what
about Andy--do you think he'll try to follow--or try to get ahead of
you now that he has a copy of the map?"

"He may," answered Tom. "But I have a little trick I'm going to work
on Andy. I will try to learn whether he really has a copy of the
map, though I'm practically certain of it. Then I'll decide what's
best to do."

"In th' meanwhile, will you be gettin' ready?" asked Abe. "I'd like
t' start as soon as we can, for it's awful cold there, the longer
you wait, at this time of th' year."

"Yes, I'll start right to work, getting the RED CLOUD in readiness
to be shipped," promised Tom.

CHAPTER VI

ANDY'S AIRSHIP FLIES

"Hello, Tom, have you heard the news?" asked Ned Newton, of the
young inventor, a few days later.

"What news, Ned? I declare I've been so busy thinking out the best
plan to ship the RED CLOUD to Seattle that I haven't been over to
town. What's going on? Have they decided to build a new church in
Shopton, or something like that?"

"Oh, this about Andy Foger's airship."

"Andy's airship, eh? Is he still working on it?"

"It's all done, so Sam Snedecker was telling me last night, and
to-day Andy is going to try to fly it."

"You don't mean it!"

"Sure thing. Let's go over and watch him."

"He might make a fuss, same as he did when we looked in the window
of his shed."

"He can't make any fuss now. He's got to take his machine out to fly
it, and anybody that wants to can look on. Didn't he watch you make
flights often enough?"

"That's so. Where is the trial flight going to take place?"

"In the big meadow. Come on over."

"Guess I will. I can't do much more now. I've been getting some
boxes and crates made in which to pack the RED CLOUD. I'll have to
take her all apart."

"Then you're really going to hunt for the valley of gold?"

"Sure thing. How about you going, Ned? I spoke to dad about it, and
he said he'd see that you could have a leave of absence."

"Yes, that part's all right. The bank president told me today I
could take a vacation any time I w