"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. But that attachment was not in use at Kentfield
then.
The powerful motor hummed and throbbed, for a muffler was
temporarily dispensed with on account of its weight.
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